Network Rail apologises to Harringay residents over tree felling

Stanhope Gardens residents were not consulted about the work that took place last week, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Network Rail contractors felling trees in Harringay (credit Dan Cook)

Network Rail has apologised after trees were felled near a railway station without “advance warning”.

Last week Dan Cook, who lives in Stanhope Gardens overlooking the rail line on the approach to Harringay Green Lanes Station, noticed a group of trees were being chopped down by contractors.

He said the move “irreparably damaged” an “important wildlife corridor” and believed Network Rail was “breaking its own procedures”.

In response a Network Rail spokesperson said communication with the residents “should have been better” and explained the trees were being removed as they posed a “danger to the safe running of the railway”.

Dan was initially confused as the usual practice was to prune the trees, with stakeholders such as local residents being consulted on such work.

However, this time Dan said after no “advance warning” the trees were removed and after enquiring he found they had been identified using drones, “without on-the-ground-inspections”.

Dan said: “The trackside margin here and elsewhere is a valued habitat for diverse flora and fauna, one that is appreciated daily by local residents.

“Such a marginal space improves our quality of life in this nature-depleted inner city.

“Network Rail is breaking its own procedures in carrying out this work without having first engaged stakeholders, which include local residents, or apparently without first carrying out proper impact assessments.”

In response the Network Rail spokesperson confirmed it had targeted trees for felling and it was now writing to local residents about any remaining work.

The spokesperson said: “We understand the concerns of residents about removal of trees along the railway and accept that our communication to residents should have been better.

“We’re sorry for the upset this may have caused and we are now writing to those residents where work is still to be carried out and that the correct communication processes are being followed.

“We have undertaken environmental surveys using drone technology to identify particular trees that are either dead, diseased or dying, or have the potential to interfere with railway equipment or train services.

“We want to reassure residents that we are only removing or cutting back trees that pose a danger to the safe running of the railway.”

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