Council defends taking the axe to Masbrough trees

MORE than 30 trees face the chop because they are said to be too large and damaging footpaths.

Rotherham Borough Council wants to cut down 34 trees in Masbrough.

The council says it is acting in response to local concerns about the trees causing a nuisance and claims that people have backed the scheme.

But one resident, who asked not to be named, contacted the Advertiser to say that the first trees around Vine Close were felled just six days after residents were notified of the plan.

He said: “It looks a barren mess.”

Karl Battersby, the council’s strategic director for environment and development services, said: “Residents have been raising concerns about the state of the footpaths in College Road and problems with overhanging trees.

“As a result we carried out a survey to see what we could do to improve the estate’s overall appearance and reduce opportunities for anti-social behaviour.

“The tree felling is the first stage of this project as this has to be completed before any more work can be done.

“We have written to residents in the area and ward members and so far we have not received any complaints with a number of residents voicing their support for the plans.

“We will be replacing the trees in due course subject to site constraints and available resources.”