Plans to fell trees in the town centre splits opinion

Kingsbridge Town Council has announced that three trees will be felled and replaced due to them creating "trip hazards". 

Kingsbridge Town Council posted on social media to say that the area at the junction of Prince of Wales Road and Fore Street, next to Boots and Peacocks, had been in a "poor condition" for some time. 

They said that Devon County Council will be "rectifying this issue" on Monday, 12 September, when three trees will be "felled to be replaced by a similar number of Pyris Chanticleer Pear trees", an ornamental tree that "does not bear fruit but flowers early and should look well at this key location". 

The pavements will be levelled and the paving slabs were then relaid. 

This news split opinion to those responding. While some were very happy to see this work being done, like Vicky Williams who said: "Thank god. The amount of time myself and my kids have tripped on these slabs is shocking. The roots will only get bigger and therefore create more problems with the already shoddy pavement there."

Amy Williams added: "Great idea, will only get worse which will continue to cause more and more problems. At least you’re still replacing with another tree, just one more suited."

On the other hand, people were asking whether there was the possibility to relocate the trees or help them to survive better and not destroy their surroundings where they are currently located. 

Viv Fryer said: "Sorry no, this is so utterly wrong. Felling trees because they are an inconvenience is just wrong. You should be taking up the slabs around those trees, giving them the space they need and leaving them be.

"There must be a better solution! And how about fixing all the broken slabs around town that cause a trip hazard and send water spraying up your leg?"

Karen Tompkins said: "Why on earth do you need to 'fell' these well-established trees.....just sort the pavement out so there is a level walkway past this Tree and take out the slabs around it, level the earth and plant flowers around it.

"This Tree, being so established will be a home to soooo much nature and you just think its OK to destroy that life within. Work with the tree and nature, not against it for goodness sake!! I am so angry at your decision and so disappointed that you cannot be bothered to do the right thing for nature."

What do you think?