WELWYN Hatfield Borough Council has defended its decision to chop down hundreds of decaying trees in Stanborough Park insisting they posed serious health and safety risks.

On monday the first batch of Poplar trees were cleared in the south car park infuriating a throng of defiant campaigners who claim felling is unwarranted.

Protestors say that pollarding the trees would address the safety issue and allow the council to progressively replace them without causing such devastation.

But the council insists it has taken the right the course of action as many of the felled trees were diseased and further delay would have had serious health and safety implications for car park users.

A tree surgeon confirmed that if the trees had remained, the condition of them and the danger posed would have worsened, adding that pollarding would not have solved the problem.

Councillor Clare Berry, executive member for environment and community, said: “The council made the right decision, the trees were a hazard and in a very bad condition. The trees were so decayed that it is truly surprising that the trees have remained standing.“ An Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee will now consider options for the replanting programme in the south car park of Stanborough Lakes with the council assuring that residents will be consulted on the scheme.

During this process other landscaping options for both car parks at Stanborough Park will be considered and a decision reached for both.

Councillor Berry added: “We will be thorough in our work on this project, it is vital that the replanting suits the garden city ethos and provides a legacy for future generations to enjoy. We will replant the area with a planting scheme that we will ensure residents are happy with.”