Local campaigners are appealing for help to count the number of trees recently cut down along the local M621 motorway, to hold National Highways to account for their heavy-handed operations.
The past couple of years (since summer 2022) have seen National Highways – the body who oversee the motorway network – and their contractors undertake major works all along the M621, which passes through Belle Isle, Hunslet, Hunslet Moor, Beeston, and Holbeck. But many residents have been shocked at the large-scale tree-felling in some areas, leading to a considerable increase in air and noise pollution from the motorway into the community.
Beeston and Holbeck-based Green Party campaigners Omar Mushtaq and Matt Rogan, with Cllr Ed Carlisle (Green, Hunslet & Riverside) are now looking to map and count the number of mature trees lost locally – and need your help. To find out more, contact Omar on omar.mushtaq@leeds.greenparty.org.uk or call 07495 584 829. The team aim to map and tally the number of lost trees by the end of May.
Omar comments:
“We estimate that 100s if not 1000+ fully-grown trees have been lost – and these provided an unsung but invaluable role protecting our communities from air and noise pollution. Rates of respiratory illness in our communities are already amongst the highest in the city, and this will only make things worse. Of course National Highways have work to do, and in some cases the trees needed trimming, but they’ve used a sledgehammer to crack a nut. The tiny replacement trees will take a generation to grow, and we’ll bear the consequence.”
This post is based on a press release issued by Cllr Ed Carlisle
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There are a few more important issues in this area than a few trees being lost.
Get your priorities right.