Residents have been left "shocked" and "upset" after seeing piles of chopped-down trees along a main road in Bromsgrove. 

The trees were cut down along the A38 as part of ongoing work to clear vegetation in preparation for works on the Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme (BREP). 

Christian Weston, who lives near the site, posted a picture of the trees on the Bromsgrove Climate Action Facebook group which sparked outrage from residents who shared Mr Weston's concerns about the work. 

This included worries over the loss of mature trees and the potential damage to birds and wildlife. 

The County Council is offering a two-for-one replacement of the trees, but residents were also concerned that the younger plants would take years to establish. 

Bromsgrove Advertiser: The trees have been cleared as part of the ongoing BREP work The trees have been cleared as part of the ongoing BREP work (Image: Christian Weston)

Mr Weston said: "There were shocking scenes along the A38. My garden backs onto the A38 and there are more works planned including an area of land at the bottom of my garden. 

"I certainly hope they don't take out trees down. I felt so upset seeing what they'd done. I'm sure I am not alone."

The BREP scheme has cost just over £50 million with the Department of Transport committing to provide more than £43 million and the remainder coming from local developer contributions. 

The scheme aims to reduce traffic congestion along the carriageway and implement improved cycleways and footpaths. 

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Christian Weston said the site should look like this Christian Weston said the site should look like this (Image: Christian Weston/Google)

In response to the community reaction to the trees being removed, a spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: "The trees are being removed as part of the preparatory works for the A38 improvements with the vegetation clearance having been kept to a minimum. 

"We are able to undertake vegetation clearance at this time of year provided it has been supervised by a suitable qualified and experienced ecologist who has undertaken a survey and confirmed there are no active nests prior to the works taking place.   

"We're committed to replace each tree we remove with two new trees. Where possible, this will be in the immediate vicinity of where we have removed trees but this will not always be possible." 

Bromsgrove Advertiser: The council said they are replacing the trees on the two-for-one basis The council said they are replacing the trees on the two-for-one basis (Image: Christian Weston)

The County Council also said the replacement trees will include field maple, silver birch, hawthorn, hazel, alder and small-leaved lime. 

They will mostly be 1m to 1.5m in height as "smaller trees establish better and have an increased survival rate". 

The team will also be installing bat and bird boxes as well as planting native spring bulbs along the route as part of the work.