CONCERNS about the removal of a row of trees in Pershore town centre have been raised by a former town resident.

Shirley Agg, who now lives in Badsey but grew up in Pershore, told the town council she was against the felling of London plane trees in Broad Street - an idea suggested as a solution to a range of problems caused by the trees and their roots.

She said: "Why weren't root guards put on the trees when they were planted. Why haven't they been properly maintained so that it wouldn't have had to come to this.

"I understand the trees are going to be cut down in October with new payment being laid and now trees to be planted in the spring?

"Why can't the trees be planted in October? Personally I believe they won't be planned in the spring and it will be an excuse."

But the town council said the trees needed to be replaced as they pose a health and safety risk blocking light into nearby homes and the roots have pushed up the pavement.

Speaking on behalf of county councillor Liz Tucker, Pershore councillor Charles Tucker, reported she had walked the road in August with highways staff and offered £2,000 towards the cost of replacing the trees.

He added Cllr Liz Tucker confirmed she had been given verbal assurances it would go ahead and requested October as the time for the work to be done but it had later transpired Wychavon District Council required six weeks notification.

Cllr Val Wood said: "We are lucky that no-one has fallen and broken their neck. People have fallen but not hurt themselves. What Wychavon is suggesting was to get a plan in place."

Cllr Charles Tucker said he thought this would take too long and Cllr Chris Parsons agreed adding: "I don't see the need for any great lengthy discussion. We all agree the trees are a hazard, they have pushed the pavement up, they have to go."

But Cllr David Annis warned "a lot of people are going to be annoyed about those trees going down".

Despite all the concerns Worcestershire County Council said a final decision on the future of the trees had not yet been made and would be confirmed following a meeting with Wychavon District Council.

However they did add that a tree specialist had advised the trees are too big and need replacing.

And Jim Burgin, heritage manager at Wychavon District Council, added: “We haven’t received a formal notification for the removal of trees in Broad Street in Pershore, but we are aware of proposals by Worcestershire County Council to carry out works to address a range of reported problems including root damage to the paving surface and overshadowing to properties.

"As the trees are within the Pershore Conservation Area, we require six weeks notification of the intention to carry out any works to the trees in question. This will enable us to carry out the necessary consultations with local residents to gauge their opinions and explore options which help balance the need to deal with the identified problems whilst protecting the conservation value provided by the trees."