DOZENS of trees, threatened with the axe by Redbridge Council, may yet get a stay of execution after angry residents commissioned expert advice.

The council originally described the decision to uproot the trees lining St Mary’s Avenue in Wanstead as ‘absolutely necessary’, but has now put the move on hold.

Many of the 24 trees, which have been standing for more than 100 years, were described by the council as diseased and dangerous, but tree expert David Evans has claimed that the risk to the public from most of them is negligible.

He said: “My issue is that the tree officers are being risk averse rather than risk aware.

“There is a degree of risk in life that is deemed as acceptable by the government’s health and safety executive of a one in 10,000 chance of causing a death.

“Most of the trees on St Mary’s Avenue carry even less of a risk than that. For example there is one tree with a section of decay on it which I would say has a risk factor of one in 100,000.”

Nigel Watson, 42, who lives on St Mary’s Avenue said: “As far as the council are concerned their tree guy is judge, jury and executioner.

“This is not just about our road. If the council take this approach across the borough then, over time, hundreds of trees will be unnecessarily chopped down.”

Neighbour Lee McGinty, 39, is himself a professional risk assessment manager.

He said: “The council seem to be saying they will chop down a tree if there is any risk at all, but you don’t reduce speed limits on roads to five mph, or close all children’s playgrounds.

“We are hoping that Mr Evans’ report will prompt the council’s tree department to take a different approach, because at the moment there doesn’t seem to be any avenue to appeal a decision like this.

“It is not appropriate or possible to reduce risk to zero, and the closer you get to pursuing that aim the more trees you will chop down.”

A spokesman for Redbridge Council said: "The Council understands that this is a matter of importance to residents as it is to the Council.

"We have been keen to involve residents as soon as possible and held two public meetings to listen to their opinions and explain our actions.

"In the same spirit we are happy to review this report and if it provides any new evidence that has not already been unearthed then that will be taken into consideration.

"We will be happy to comment further on the report after we have received it and had time to consider it fully."

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