There was music, placards and plenty of horns beeping in support as a protest took place in Walton-le-Dale regarding plans to fell 18 trees.
A campaign to save the ‘Royal Limes’, of which 18 are proposed to be felled under the flood defence scheme, has seen nearly 8,000 people sign a petition against them being cut down.
Last week a public meeting, chaired by Ribble Valley MP Maya Ellis, and with representatives from the campaign group, South Ribble Borough Council and the Environment Agency, packed out the Yew Tree pub to hear the latest.
Read more: Broadgate and Penwortham flood defence works complete after four years
Alongside the fears about the future of the trees, which date back more than 100 years at the spot, concerns have also been raised about the length of and disruption of roadworks during the scheme.
The protest on Saturday (20 June) took place outside the Yew Tree and saw approximately 150 people line Victoria Road with placards and the majority of passing drivers beeping their horns in support.
Damian North, chair of the Save The Royal Limes group, said: “There has been progress – our MP Maya Ellis has handed in our petition to the Houses of Parliament. That means that it gets to the secretary of state responsible for the Environment Agency. It’s moving up the ladder.
“When the EA made its decision, they didn’t acknowledge the history and they underestimated the strength of public feeling, which you can see here today. They need to admit they’ve made a mistake basically. But our plan, which is feasible, does not result in the felling of trees.
“A lot of the protestors live here on Victoria Road and have all their lives and are supportive of our campaign. But we know there will be more weather events and something needs to be done.
“It’s not just the trees – it’s also the stretch of Victoria Road that would be closed. It’s a main artery into Preston. The thought of a full road closure, for 18 months, doesn’t bear thinking about.
“The EA has taken 180 cuttings from the trees which they say are in safe storage now to be planted somewhere else. Some of them are looking a bit sorry for themselves, but they will be back if they are left as they are.”
The purpose of the Environment Agency plans is not to protect against the sort of flooding that Walton-le-Dale has already experienced – where the water comes through the drains – but instead to prevent water from rising above the flood defences for the first time.
Among those to attend were Cllr Suleman Sarwar, cabinet member for climate change at Preston City Council, and Cllr Ambar Afzal, cabinet member for planning and regulation at Preston City Council.
The plans fall into the South Ribble area and are therefore outside their jurisdiction but they felt it important to show support for their neighbours.
Cllr Sarwar told Blog Preston: “I’ve come to show solidarity with the Save the Royal Limes group, who are doing a fantastic job. These trees have stood here for over 100 years now and once they’re gone, they’re gone forever.
“I am the cabinet member for climate change for Preston and this is a passion of mine and these are our neighbours. I went to school just around the corner at Christ the King. I think everyone has a right to stand up for heritage and the environment.
“Public safety and flood protection are important. I think they need to go back and have a look at all the options. Too often environmental decisions are presented as a choice between people and nature – but good climate policy protects both.”
A judicial review into the plans is ongoing.
