RESIDENTS and councillors have expressed their anger after trees were cut down outside a railway station.

Three Monterey Pine trees were cut down from in front of Poole station by South Western Railway, as it plans to make changes to the station area.

The remaining trees outside the station were then placed under a Tree Protection Order (TPO) by BCP Council, after councillors and residents raised their concerns.

Daniel Glennon, an activist at Extinction Rebellion BCP, said mature trees are vital in the current ecological and climate crisis so he would like to understand why they were cut down.

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He said: “Not only do they provide a valuable habitat, they provide shade which reduces the temperature in an urban environment, and they also sequester carbon. Yet we place so little value in mature trees and cut them down without a thought.”

South Western Railway said the trees were removed in March as they were in ‘poor condition’ and their roots presented a 'trip hazard'. This was despite them being rated as in ‘average health’ by BCP Council in October 2021.

A spokesperson for the rail company said: “The remaining trees are in a better condition and so we are not looking to remove them.

“As we are hopeful of making wider changes to the forecourt, we will not be replacing the trees at this time.”

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However, BCP Council indicated to councillors they would be speaking with Network Railway for suitable replacement trees to be planted around the station.

Councillor Mark Howell, from Poole People, had been trying to have the trees placed under a TPO before they were removed. He said he would welcome the planting of more trees to replace those that were cut down, as a part of a wider plan.

“There needs to be a proper regeneration plan for the whole area,” Cllr Howell said.

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Councillor Judes Butt, from Poole Engage, said it was thanks to the public that the council acted to place the remaining trees under a TPO.

Cllr Butt said: “It is good to see that after the public's interventions that BCP Council are now liaising directly with Network Rail and will seek assurances about suitable replacement tree planting for those trees that have been removed.”