Sefton butchering Formby Village trees is simply an act of public vandalism!

Horse Chestnut Trees to be chopped in Formby Village and Parish Councillor says it is simply an act of public vandalism!

Sefton Council wish to remove two mature Horse Chestnut trees from Formby Village. Formby Parish Council commissioned a tree survey by an expert Aboriculturalist who says the trees can be saved and thrive, posing no threat to the safety of village shoppers with the appropriate tree care and remedial pruning.

Residents in Formby feel betrayed by Sefton Council after hearing this recent news after hundreds of residents fought last year to keep the trees.

Derek Baxter of Formby Parish Council said: “I am horrified that once again Sefton Council Officers are determined to remove the mature Horse Chestnut trees from Formby Village.  Having removed the tree from outside of Waterfields Bakery earlier this year, now the threat is to the trees outside of Boots Chemist and Cassidy’s Fruit and Veg Shop.”

“Sefton Council are persisting in their assertion that these trees pose a threat to the general public. To address “project fear” I think it should be stated quite clearly that most agree that these trees cannot be left to decline as they are, as they will pose a threat to the safety of the public if not addressed.  Although I speak for myself as a Formby Parish Councillor but not on this occasion for Formby Parish Council as a whole, I think my colleagues of all denominations would agree that something needs to be done and that Sefton Council Officers are correct to flag these trees up as in need of attention.”

“At this point Sefton Borough Council and my follow FRAG (Formby Resident Action Group) Councillors part company.  Formby Parish Council employed an eminent tree expert in Mr Bruce Hatton to asses and advise on whether the trees in Formby Village pose a threat to the public and what actions would be necessary to maintain these trees to  standard acceptable for trees on the public highway.  In his report Mr Hatton recommends that the trees currently identified for removal by Sefton Council can be retained subject to a course of remedial pruning and attention to the tree pits.”

“There is a willingness amongst Formby Parish Councillors to provide funding for the necessary actions to preserve these trees, although I can only speak for FRAG Parish Councillors, I think this support extends to others.”

“Sefton Council Officers appear to be suggesting that as the liability for any failure of the trees or claim for damages against Sefton Council cannot be transferred to Formby Parish Council should an injury occur due to the failure of the structure of the trees, then they cannot accept our experts report.  This resulted in them claiming that because Formby Parish Council can’t take ownership of the trees the Parish Council’s Report cannot be accepted.”

This is nonsense as Bruce Hatton, the expert employed by the Parish Council has advised Lancaster City Council, Cambridshire County Council, Aylesbury Vale District Council, Corby Borough Council, Christchurch College Oxford, and the Royal household. Without deriding Sefton tree officers, that’s quite a CV, he has also worked for the Highways Agency, the Environment Agency and gives expert witness to planning inquiries.  All of these entities have been implementing his recommendations without having to transfer ownership or liability.”

Formby Parish Council have successfully challenged Sefton Council Officers and have provided a funding stream to allow these beautiful mature Horse Chestnut Trees to be preserved, to remove them in the face of this is simply an act of public vandalism.”

Please can everyone get behind the campaign to retain these irreplaceable trees.  Follow on the Facebook go to  Save our ‘Formby Village’ Trees and please

sign our petition https://goo.gl/y2VhQG