Leafy avenue stripped bare (From Penarth Times)

Leafy avenue stripped bare

PENARTH residents are up in arms over the council's decision to carry out a major tree pruning maintenance programme in the 'Poets Corner' area of the town.

The pruning started nearly two weeks ago, at the top end of Wordsworth Avenue, and involves the trees being reduced to just trunks, with the loss of virtually all of their branches and leaves.

Both residents declared that they had not received any prior notification from the council about the proposed action.

Local resident, Judith Veal and her husband Richard have lived in the avenue for seven years.

She said: "I love Wordsworth, because it is a tree lined avenue. This pollarding of the trees has horrified me".

Wordsworth Avenue resident, Joy Webber, is also outraged at the council's decision to cut down the large old lime trees.

She added: "The trees are the extension of our gardens, and home for the birds".

Both women are 'annoyed' at the action, because in their view, it is "too drastic". Agency Nurse Judith commented: "When a decision affects your environment, you should be consulted".

She explained that her husband Allan grew up in the area in the late 1930s, and he could remember the trees being "quite substantial in size" back then.

Resident Joy, who has lived in the avenue for twenty-five years stated: "This is our little bit of country side".

They would both like to see the trees left alone to grow for two years, and then pruned gently each year. Both agree that the severe pruning has made the area look 'ugly', and Joy concluded: "It is such a shame".

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesman commented: "An obvious benefit to residents is less leaf nuisance, while the work will also clear branches close to telephone lines, and thus reduce the chances of service interruption".

The council will undertaking the pruning of mature trees around Penarth over the next few months.