More than 5,000 sign new petition over Sheffield tree felling

Carly Mountain and other tree campaigners outside the Town Hall in Sheffield where they handed in a 5,000 signature petition

Protests over the axing and replacement of highway trees as part of Sheffield Council’s Streets Ahead contract with Amey have sprung up across the city, and last July a 10,000-strong petition triggered a Town Hall debate.

During the debate campaigners called for a formal tree strategy to be set up and for felling to be stooped in the meantime – but councillors voted to take no action.

Since then, a highway tree forum has been set up and now an independent tree panel is to review felling on 36 streets where more than half of residents have raised concerns.

A tree strategy was promised but has not yet materialised and the last forum meeting planned for November did not take place.

Now a second petition, set up by residents in leafy Nether Edge, has reached the 5,000-name mark, which means a second debate is to be held, possibly at the next full council meeting on February 3.

Carly Mountain, part of Save Nether Edge Trees, said there had been much support from the community.

She added: “The issues on one street with trees are no different to another street with trees so though we will be speaking on behalf of Nether Edge, we will be highlighting again the key issues for the whole city.

“The main one is that we want a halt on all felling and planting operations until the tree strategy we were promised in November is in place.

“We are not happy with the tree panel, while it will review 36 streets there are still many where a lot of trees are going to be felled even though they are healthy. That is not acceptable.”