Demonstrators plan record breaking 'hug' of trees facing axe in Coventry

Coventry residents are planning a "record" tree hug as part of a bid to save 26 trees from being axed for a cycleway. Campaigners will attempt to achieve the 'alternative record' for the biggest event of this kind in the UK.

It comes after Coventry council revealed plans to remove the trees to make way for the last stretch of the Binley cycleway linking the city centre with the hospital. The council said it will plant 32 new trees on the road which will be suited for an urban environment and have root protection measures.

But since August over 4,000 people have signed an e-petition calling for the council to save the 26 threatened trees which are claimed to house wildlife, help take up carbon and have years left to live. Residents want the plans to be redesigned or a "less destructive" route be found.

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This month organisers sent a leaflet to locals advertising an 'Alternative Record Biggest UK Tree Hug Event'. They say 705 people are needed to link around trees on the road for the event this Saturday 16 November.

They also claim their campaign to save the trees would mean the "dangerous dual cycleway" would have to be "redesigned or rerouted." Martina Irwin, who runs a tree sanctuary in the city, is one of the organisers for Saturday's event.

She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the trees have a value to the city and losing them is "just not on." She added:"It's not a sacrifice these local residents are willing to take.

"They are very very angry and very very emotional about it and I can't blame them." Ms Irwin also said locals are concerned the cycleway will be dangerous as people leaving their drives will pass two lanes of cyclists and pedestrians, adding the road is a major route and relied on for access to the hospital.

Since plans were unveiled locals have been wrapping trees in yellow ribbons, 'save the trees' signs and decorating them with "tree huggers," she told the LDRS. Ms Irwin explained Saturday's event aims to beat the "alternative world record" for the largest number of people involved in a tree hug, which was previously set in Cheshire.

Organisers do not aim to disrupt traffic or people accessing their homes and there will be 12 marshals in place, she said. People involved will aim to encircle trees on one side from Mill Lane to the end of the road for one minute starting at 1pm.

Council says trees will be replaced and cycle lane 'definitely not dangerous'

Asked by the LDRS about the campaign to save the trees and Saturday's event a Coventry City Council spokesperson said: "The trees advertised for removal on Clifford Bridge Road are primarily in average condition with limited usable lifespan, and some are Ash trees affected by Ash dieback. As stated throughout the consultation process, we will replace these trees with new trees, carefully selected for their resilience and suitability to a road side environment to ensure they flourish and provide greater long-term benefits than the existing trees.

"Trees are an important part of moving towards Net Zero, and we will plant more trees than we remove. Removal of some of the trees is also linked to the changes we have made to the plan to reflect the very strong views of both residents and cyclists.

"This is the third version of the plan and it is definitely not dangerous. Giving road users travel choices, is also important and will have a greater impact upon reducing the amount of carbon emitted along Clifford Bridge Road.

"The Binley Cycleway along Clifford Bridge Road, if approved at a future cabinet member meeting will fulfil its intended purpose of connectivity to key areas, enabling a safe and direct journey all the way from the hospital to the city centre and back."