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Published:
April 22, 2009
Anger over 'chainsaw massacre' of
prominent trees in Highbridge
Residents
in Highbridge have been left fuming this week after chainsaw-weilding
council workers "butchered" several prominent trees
besides the town's clock.
Work
to trim back foliage in Jubilee Gardens, besides Highbridge's
town clock, was carried out by Sedgemoor's Clean Surroundings
Team in order to allow CCTV cameras to get a better view of the
area. However, local residents say there were shocked to see the
aftermath of the work.
 Mike
Murphy, Chairman of Highbridge's Chamber of Trade, told Burnham-On-Sea.com:
"A lovely old 30ft conifer that is directly behind the town
clock has been butchered."
"We
knew several trees besides the fence were going to be cut back
a little to help with CCTV coverage, but no-one expected this."
"The
main conifer was bushy and green and provided a nice backdrop
to the roundabout. Now, though, all that is left are several bare
limbs which look terrible. It really has been a 'chainsaw massacre'."
He
added that several Christmas lights which had been strung in the
branches of the tree for storage have also damaged by the workmen.
"Several
of the lights are broken and we won't be able to string them up
here next Christmas as normal."
Sedgemoor
District Council spokeswoman Claire Faun told Burnham-On-Sea.com
the work had been pre-planned and agreed with local organisations.
She
said: "We consulted with Burnham and Highbridge Town Council
and the Highbridge in Bloom group."
"The
trees in question are Leylandii confers which are very dense,
thus obstructing the view of CCTV cameras. We will be replacing
them during the autumn planting season with trees that will not
be so dense and allow the cameras to do their job."
"With
regard to the Christmas lights, we were unaware that they were
permanently in the trees. Due
to the burst of foliage in the last week, the workmen did not
notice them initially and some were damaged before they realised
they were there."
"Some
were rather old and some perishing had taken place. We have offered
to repair any that were damaged."
Mr
Murphy standing besides the stumps of several trees that were
felled at the spot in Highbridge on Monday
Sedgemoor
District Council staff at work in the Highbridge trees this week
The
'butchered' tree besides the roundabout in Highbridge
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