Falmouth Tree massacre proceeds athletic young folk climb the lime trees under threat, Council retreats.

Cornwall councillors have decided to proceed with the chopping down of mature Lime trees in a Falmouth residential street. The Victorian and Georgian terraces have been shaded by the healthy and vibrant trees located in the pavements. A council statement last week stated “We can appreciate the strong feeling generated by the this decision- we seek to retain all trees wherever possible, and their removal is a last resort. However under then Highways Act we have a legal duty to ensure that trees growing on footpaths and within public highways do not pose potential hazard pedestrians, traffic and nearby properties” We have reviewed alternate measures such as root removal and root barriers, but this may compromise the health and integrity of the trees. In conjunction with Falmouth Town Council it is proposed to replace the four mature trees with new young trees placed in specialist pits in build outs between existing parking areas.
However locals are not convinced that the work is at all necessary as the trees which have been in place longer than anyone can remember are in good health. At least a hundred placard wielding residents have maintained a vigil at the site in an attempt to bring about a change of policy. Council and police presence numbers are in the region of 3o individuals. A caged area has been set up but the residents have occupied the area directly around the doomed trees.