Havering community prepares itself to take on Network Rail in a battle to save our trees and wildlife from destruction.

The Havering community gears itself for a David V Goliath battle to save trees and wildlife.

The battle to save 600 trees from being destroyed in Havering, (although residents fear they will destroy many more) has united the whole community. Angry residents recently learnt that Network Rail are planning on destroying literally thousands of trees across the Romford to Upminster and Romford to Gidea Park line and are furious at the thought of losing much loved trees and the destruction of our wildlife with it.

The tree massacre is something that has been taking place right across the country. In March last year, Hackney saw the destruction of thousands of their trees, where Network Rail, once again did not consult members of the public but chose to just elimate trees that were hundreds of years old. Not only that, but the use of the herbicide Glyphosate was sprayed on the tree roots to kill the trees off completely.

Now, Havering is next in line for the same treatment, only this time residents, councillors and MP’s have joined in the battle to stop this and save our trees from destruction.

When residents saw contractors out on trees last week and trees start to come down, they began to challenge the workers and a tree coalition was formed that has united the community.

A petition was launched that has received over 1,500 signatures in a bid to save our trees from being destroyed.

The Romford MP Andrew Rosindell was disgusted when he learnt of the tree cull and stepped in to provide a temporary reprieve until a consultation takes place.

This evening sees the meeting taking place with the Romford MP speaking out in support of the community and local residents fighting alongside him to save our trees.

Over the weekend, residents took to door knocking across roads that back the railway lines in a bid to inform people of the possible destruction of their trees.

The support from the community has been amazing and this fight really has united everyone together.

If you would like to save our much needed trees from destruction please sign the petition below:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/635584271018821/?multi_permalinks=637614564149125%2C637520534158528%2C637510964159485%2C637499550827293%2C637513120825936&notif_id=1641675810566956&notif_t=group_activity&ref=notif

Please help save our trees and wildlife and stop Network Rail from destroying our environment.

A Network Rail spokesperson said:
“We know residents in Havering are passionate about protecting the environment. We’ve listened to the concerns they’ve raised about our vegetation management work in this area. As a result, we’ve reviewed our plans so we’re sure they minimise the impact on trees and vegetation by the railway but do what is needed to protect those travelling and working on the railway. This means we’ll be removing vegetation that’s within 6.5 metres of the running rail that could interfere with the track and other railway equipment, or prevent staff from being able to safely access these. We may need to work on other larger trees if they are dead, diseased or a significant safety risk. We’ll do all we can to leave them in place and wherever possible, trees will be cut back or reduced in height but not removed.”