Network Rail
40 Melton Street
LONDON
NW1 2EE

5. June 2003

Dear Sirs,

Re: Tree Felling at Acton Bridge Station, Cheshire (WCML)

I am writing as Vice-Chairman of Acton Bridge Parish Council to complain about the destruction of trees at the railway station in the village of Acton Bridge, near Northwich, Cheshire (GR SJ598746). I gather that this is part of a widespread (and apparently widely unpopular) policy of tree felling, to prevent their leaves from falling on the line and causing disruption to trains, but the manner in which the work is being carried out has caused great concern to the residents of this parish.

The Acton Bridge Women's Institute has, with the cooperation and financial support of Central Trains (who manage the station) been carrying out a voluntary programme of gardening and planting at the station over the last couple of years. In addition to funding, Central Trains have kindly provided orange vests, and instructed the volunteers in safety matters, and they clearly appreciate the work being undertaken. Derelict flowerbeds have been cleared and planted with bulbs and shrubs, and treated with forest bark donated by a local farmer, all at considerable effort and some expense; and a large amount of rubbish has been removed, greatly enhancing the appearance of this small rural station. This initiative has received widespread recognition and publicity, including an illustrated article in "Home and Country", the national WI magazine, and an unsolicited invitation to apply for a "Best Kept Station" competition.

It was therefore very distressing for the WI to find, on a recent gardening visit, that much of the work of these volunteers has been negated by the thoughtless manner of the tree felling. Other members of the community have raised the matter with the Parish Council, which is why I am writing to you. Mature trees, saplings and shrubs have been slashed at various heights, and the branches allowed to fall and die where they will, leaving a mass of tangled vegetation which is quite beyond the capability of the volunteers to clear. Some of the trees have been thrown over the fence into a private drive, others are lying across the platform, and the whole appearance of the station is one of devastation. I visited it myself the other evening, and I was appalled by the mess. It isn't even an efficient clear-felling operation, since several of the tree trunks have only been partially severed, and their leaves will continue to grow. It simply looks as though vandals have been let loose.

I have seen a copy of your leaflet LFT001/02-2003 "Tree management in your area" on the topic, and it clearly states that "[The work] will be carried out by approved arboreal contractors in accordance with British Standard 3998 (1998) 'Recommendations for Tree Work'. They are expert tree surgeons familiar with this kind of operation". Your leaflet claims that Network Rail are concerned about the environment, and that "we are careful only to prune or cut down problem trees". It goes on: "Before starting a tree felling programme [Network Rail's experts] will liaise with your local authority to inform them of our plans and to discuss and resolve issues particular to your local environment".

Acton Bridge Parish Council is the most local authority, and there has been no such liaison with us. Instead, the work has been carried out in a unilateral and cavalier manner, and I must now seek your firm assurance that the mess left by your contractors will be made good, in a thorough and timely manner, and that there will be no repetition of this vandalism in our village without the proper consultation to which your leaflet properly makes reference.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

S.J. Pardoe
Vice-Chairman, Acton Bridge Parish Council

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