I WAS surprised at your comments regarding the felling of the Broad Street trees (Journal, January 29).

Unfortunately, it seems when writing your article you were under the incorrect impression that these are mature trees.

The 18 London plane trees were planted in 2002, and as this type of tree can live for over 100 years this makes them young trees that cost the taxpayer many thousands of pounds.

Should these trees be very old or diseased I would agree with some of your comments, but as these are young trees I can assure you I am not 'shrieking' as you say in the article.

It is most important to get all the facts before quoting on a subject which is very important to many local people.

There is no mention of lack of maintenance to the trees in your article; this is the reason the situation arises today.

Someone has not done their job properly and because of this 'it's the trees' fault for growing, let's chop them down and get rid of the problem'. After we have done this let's plant some more trees and waste some more taxpayers' money, and then maybe not maintain the new trees either.

The trees are being pollarded in February, remedial work is being carried out on the pavements at the same time, which should rectify the present problems.

The public consultation period will take place in the summer, so let's wait and see what will happen to the trees after all avenues have been explored.

Shirley Agg

Pershore