RESIDENTS in Bromsgrove gathered by the A38 on Sunday (July 7) to express anger at plans to fell a swathe of roadside trees as part of a carriageway development.
The Revise BREP campaign group believe the £50 million A38 Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme (BREP) will not solve local traffic problems whilst leaving countless felled trees in it’s wake.
Campaigners have also raised major concerns surrounding the ‘white elephant’ scheme’s impacts on air quality and noise pollution due to the tree felling.
Protest organiser, Debbie Cerrato said: “This scheme might relieve congestion on the motorways, but it will only make matters worse for us.
“The end result will be more car engines idling and more noise and polluted air in our homes without the filtering effect of the trees.”
Worcestershire County Council say BREP will ‘help relieve congestion’, whilst traffic drawn in from other routes will reduce build-ups in other areas.
The council have also moved to quell fears by stating vegetation removal will be ‘kept to a minimum’. Campaigners are extremely disappointed with what they feel is a ‘lack of transparency’ from the council on how many trees will be felled.
The group estimate upwards of 200 trees have been felled already, with as many as 400 more at risk. Consultations are open for three further tree felling stages. The council ‘commits’ to replacing trees on a 2 to 1 basis.
One tree of considerable concern is a 50 to 70-year-old poplar tree set to be felled after August 2 along Stratford Road. The council cites health and safety concerns as a rationale for the felling.
Debbie added: “This will be a crime. Wildlife will be destroyed. Felling it will damage a protected and very rare 200-year-old Elm growing nearby. We will be losing two significant outstanding trees of beauty.”
A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council told the Standard:
“The County Council has made every effort to ensure there is little, if any impact, caused by the scheme in terms of noise and air quality.
“In addition, providing junction capacity improvements as well as encouraging walking and cycling will reduce pressure on the network.”
The council also state the cycling and pedestrian improvements will enhance links between the town centre and railway station for residents, visitors and local schools.
Visit https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk for more information on the project.
Visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558417387424 for more information on Revise BREP.
