True reason for felling these trees

I WONDER how many people who live on Bournville realise they may soon lose the group of splendid Lombardy black poplar trees close to the shops on St Andrews Parade.

These trees were planted not long after the war to relieve a rather bleak area next to the Nissen hut shops - where my father opened his pharmacy.

There are other Lombardy poplars throughout the estate, all of mature size and importance, for which a similar demise is, presumably, planned.

I accept that 'Health and Safety' make the mere existence of street trees something of a nightmare for our councils, but surely there are times when commonsense should prevail.

The St Andrews Parade trees are in good health and all that is needed is some judicious

shaping and maintenance.

I suspect that the true reason for felling these trees is the cost of their care.

Weston has much to mourn over the loss of its former parks department for whom the destruction of these trees would have been unthinkable.

I hope that North Somerset Council will think again.

DR HOWARD SMITH

Stafford Place

Weston