Council responds to anger at 'trees being cut down for cycle lanes'

RUMOURS that trees will be cut down to make way for a contentious cycle lane are untrue, Dorset Council has confirmed.

The authority has quashed speculation on social media that trees along Wimborne Road East in Ferndown will be removed for its controversial active travel scheme.

Addressing the rumours, a spokesman for Dorset Council said: “We are not removing any trees as part of our current works on Wimborne Road.

“We carefully designed the scheme so the existing trees by Clayford Avenue and the Pure Drop Pub are retained. We will, in fact, be adding an additional tree close to the Stanfield Road junction.

“Careful consideration is made to the natural environment when planning our projects. We have worked closely with our ecologists to ensure the impact on the environment is minimised at all stages of construction.”

(Image: Daily Echo)

Ward councillor Cathy Lugg said she didn’t know how the “misinformation” had started while Cllr Mike Parkes hit out at the “factually incorrect and negative posts” on social media.

Prior to Dorset Council’s intervention, one social media user wrote: “Saddened to see they are digging towards these two beautiful trees, which no doubt their days are numbered, to make way for the new cycle lane on Wimborne Road East.

Read more: Anger at '£3m-a-mile' cycle lane 'no cyclists use'

“It’s a real shame they couldn’t plan it properly so as to have avoided losing them. I hope they will plant replacements nearby.”

The post was met with more than 100 comments.

Another added: “Cycle lanes cost millions yet cyclists don’t pay any form of road tax and don’t have to take out insurance like other road users.

“There are much more urgent things for our hard-earned cash to be spent on.”

(Image: Daily Echo)

The cycle lane in Wimborne Road East has attracted widespread criticism from residents lately.

An Echo FOI revealed the total costs £7.9m and works out at about £3m a mile. 

Retired shop fitter Graham Barber said the costs of the cycle lane cannot be justified “because there are not enough cyclists using them”.

Tony Joynson, 64, argued there needs to be more space for cars “because that’s the majority”.

Dorset Council argued the cycle lane is funded by central government and is not just for cyclists, but for pedestrians and disabled people as well.