Council announces date for replacement of Rustlings Road trees

The authority came under national scrutiny for the way it handled the felling of seven trees in the Endcliffe street in November, after contractors turned up in the early hours of the morning accompanied by police.

Two pensioners were arrested and charged after protesting against the felling, and were due to appear in court last month, but the charges against them were dropped.

The council apologised for starting the operation while residents were in bed, and vowed to be more open and transparent in the future.

And the authority has today revealed the date the felled trees will be replaced.

A spokesman said: “Work will begin to install new tree pits on Rustlings Road on March 6 in preparation for the planting of 16 trees beginning on March 13.

“In addition to the replacement of seven trees removed in November, nine extra new trees will be planted by Streets Ahead.

“Ultimately, Rustlings Road will have more street trees than before the contract commenced in 2012.”

Read more:

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The council’s 25-year Streets Ahead contract with Amey covers road maintenance across the city. The council’s latest figures say about 10,000 roadside trees will be cut down and replaced under the contract.

The council spokesman added: “Streets Ahead will plant an extra 600 street trees in Sheffield over the contract period meaning there will be more trees in the city than before the contract started in 2012.”

The council has also sought to reassure residents about a particular tree.

The spokesman said: “In order to prevent destabilisation of the partially dismantled tree on Rustlings Road outside house number 203, the Council will undertake no excavations into the surrounding footway during the resurfacing works.

“There are no immediate plans to remove this tree.”

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