THE Mid-Hants Railway has defended felling trees along a stretch of line in Alton as necessary to address safety concerns.

According to managing director Colin Chambers, Watercress Line operators were approached by two residents of Lincoln Green, off The Butts, with safety concerns regarding trees growing on railway land, bordering their properties.

“We brought in a contractor who assessed the potential risk to their houses and reported that the trees should be taken down,” said Mr Chambers.

“The contractor confirmed the work would be carried out this month but didn’t provide us with a precise date, so we were unable to inform residents in advance.”

However, the lack of communication has angered some Lincoln Green residents, some of whom have used social media to express concerns about the numbers of trees felled and also over the fact that, with no prior notice, they were unable to remove or protect their cars and other outdoor items from the resulting sawdust.

Other concerns included the fact that when steam trains come through there will now be fewer trees to block off the impact of steam and noise on nearby residential properties.

Also, that what was once an attractive tree canopy is now going to be replaced with wire fencing, exposing the line and offering easier access, thus creating a safety hazard.

Commenting on the tree felling, Alton tree warden Jim Dickinson pointed out that the trees were not in a conservation area nor the subject of tree preservation orders and that, as the landowner, Mid-Hants Railway had responsibility for maintaining them safely bearing in mind they were rooted in an embankment made of re-compacted chalk and close to neighbouring properties.

In drawing attention to the stretch of line between Ropley and Alresford where the embankment has been almost stripped of trees, to prevent them falling onto the line, presenting a hazard for the trains, and/or across neighbouring property, Mr Dickinson suggested that following an inspection (not by himself) the same principle of good husbandry was being delivered on the Lincoln Green stretch of the Alton line.