Man arrested over tree protest in Sheffield

He was arrested in Meersbrook Park Road, Meesbrook, when campaigners gathered in a bid to halt tree felling on the street.

Protesters have staged demonstrations across Sheffield since council contractor Amey started felling trees as part of a £2 billion road improvement programme.

Amey today said 'specially-trained stewards' would remove anyone who wilfully obstructed the work of arborists.

The firm is felling dead and diseased trees and those causing an obstruction or damaging roads or pavements.

Stewards will now physically remove protesters entering safety zones around trees earmarked for felling as the long-running row between both sides continues.

Darren Butt, a spokesman for the council's Streets Ahead project said: "Our first priority is to keep people safe and within the law by reminding them to stay out of the safety zones, so we can complete our work for the benefit of everyone in Sheffield.

"However, from today people who do deliberately obstruct our work on the highway will be removed from the zones.

"This is a decision which is supported by professional legal advice and follows extensive dialogue with Sheffield City Council and South Yorkshire Police.

All activity within the safety zones is being filmed by Amey.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "A man was arrested this afternoon on suspicion of causing criminal damage following an incident on Meersbrook Park Road."