SIX HUNDRED fewer trees will be standing in Redbridge at the end of next year than there were at the start because of a freeze in the budget for replacing them.

Scott Whitehead of Dangan Road in Wanstead discovered the facts when he got in touch with Redbridge Council to complain about an apple tree being felled outside his home.

The council’s chief arboricultural officer Peter Marshall wrote back to say that the tree was removed because it was damaging the footpath and the kerb, but that it would be the first of the nine trees removed from the road since 1994 not to be replaced.

He added: “Due to the Budget cuts this financial year, within highway and engineering services, we will not be planting street trees to replace approximately 600 trees that have or will be removed this year. The remaining funds within the Highway Tree Management Budget will be used to fund the maintenance of the existing tree population.”

Mr Whitehead said: “I realise that the borough has to consider health and safety issues. But to say they are not going to replace them is outrageous. Surely some money can be found somewhere for a job lot of flowering cherries?

“We are seeing far too many trees disappear from our roads. The resulting bare pavements looks awful, not to mention issues with ground water problems that cause damp cellars because the trees are no longer there to 'hoover up' the water.”

Geoff Stimpson of the Woodford Green Amenity Group, said: “I think it's ridiculous to be quite honest. I mean how much do trees cost to maintain, providing that the local youths don't snap the branches off?”

Mr Marshall said: “We also dislike losing trees and not planting replacements. We are keeping a record of the absent tree positions and once the budget is restored we should be able to replace every tree that has been lost.”