| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Tree felling on Thames Path at Putney | |
| Posted by: | Caroline Whitehead | |
| Date/Time: | 18/05/16 14:47:00 |
| At last- a definitive reply from the PLA. "Dear Caroline I must first apologise for the delay getting back to you about recent tree works in the Putney area. Your understanding is quite correct – these specific works near Putney were carried out as part of the Fulham Football Club (FFC) stadium development. The approval process for a works licence for that development identified that tree work was required to mitigate the effects on prevailing winds that enable recreational and leisure sailing activity in the area. It is also the case that the works have also been beneficial to other river users – ie rowers, kayakers and canoeists etc – by managing trees overhanging the river that can impede navigation by small craft. It is important to underline that this specific tree work at Putney would have been carried out in due course as part of the long term tree management programme in place since 2009 between Beverley Brook and Kew. This programme is vital because of the consequences of self seeded trees growing out of or near the revetment walls (ie the stone and concrete embankment walls). The revetment walls must be protected – not least to avoid long term damage to the vital embankment and towpath or even a substantial collapse. The revetment wall is of course part of the flood defences. Other aspects of the tree management plan drawn up by arboriculturists include the need to: · remove diseased / damaged trees · remove / manage trees impeding safe / normal navigation of the river · remove / manage trees endangering or likely to present hazard to either users of the towpath or river users · improve the environment for specimen and native trees – eg the Native Black Poplars Since 2009, we have been implementing tree management on an annual basis between Beverley Brook and Kew. It is neither possible nor desirable to carry out all these works over many miles of revetment in one season, not least to ensure works are carried out at an appropriate time for local wildlife. Similarly there is no intention to remove all trees, as the management plan makes clear. Some are not damaging the revetment at the current time and in some places the revetment has been built to take account of individual trees. And of course trees on the land side of the towpath are generally not involved – except where they are diseased or damaged and / or presenting a hazard to towpath users etc. The removal of the trees growing out of the revetment achieves the primary aim of preventing further damage to the wall. In due course, and once the effects of tree removal have become clearer, our intention is to repair damage caused to the revetment". |