Cross Street. Ellesmere. Image: Google Maps
Shropshire Council is proposing to remove four trees on the Promenade area on Cross Street, Ellesmere due to ‘root heave’* causing uneven footway surfaces and trip hazards.
The proposal is to remove the trees, repave the Promenade area and install new seating areas and planters to enhance the appearance of the area.
Over recent years, the tree roots have progressively displaced the paving slabs within the Promenade area. To address the resulting trip hazards, the council has undertaken remedial works by removing the affected slabs and replacing them with bitmac
Despite these remedial works, new defects continue to appear, which then results in more slabs being removed and replaced with bitmac. This has resulted in the area becoming unsightly, inconsistent in appearance, and difficult to maintain to a safe standard. Consequently, the current approach is no longer regarded as a sustainable long term solution.
The decision to proceed with the option of felling the trees has not been taken lightly. A range of alternative solutions has been fully considered. However, the option of felling followed by resurfacing has been identified as the most cost effective and sustainable approach in terms of both initial expenditure and long term maintenance.
The existing line of trees separating the promenade from the car park will remain in place and are not affected by this proposal.
For more information and to have their say about the proposals, people are encouraged to visit the Shropshire Council website.
*Root heave is the upward movement of soil caused by expanding tree roots, which can cause significant damage to pavements.
Image: Google Maps
