BROMSGROVE residents have set up a camp on Stratford Road as a "last resort" to stop the destruction of trees.

Revise A38 BREP campaigners have said one of the trees, a poplar, is due to be felled on an unspecified date after August 2 as part of the road works scheme.

Debbie Alexander, campaign organiser, said: “This is unnecessary environmental vandalism.

“The tree is not even on the A38 and it is growing so close to a protected elm tree that that very rare tree is also highly likely die. 

"Other species will lose vital habitat and we will lose the oxygen they produce, not to mention the imposing vista they create.”

“Over 270 trees have already been felled as part of the BREP scheme and hundreds more lining the A38 through Bromsgrove are under threat as the roadworks progress.

"We have presented a petition with over 4,000 signatures to the county council asking for revisions to the scheme but all our requests have been refused despite the support of some Council members.

"This camp is a last resort.”

“The £54million BREP scheme is a white elephant – meaning it is a waste of money as it will benefit no one and create problems for many, “ said Jonathon Coleman who presented the petition to WCC. “Road improvement schemes in other parts of the country have been halted to save money and we have written to the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, to request that this one be added to the list.”

Devised to create an M42/M5 ‘corridor’ to relieve pressure on the motorways it will provide extra lanes on parts of the A38.

The A38 Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme (BREP) includes improvements to junctions affected by congestion plus new cycling and walking routes.

In response to the protest, a spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council, said: “The BREP scheme will improve journey times and reliability for all road users and tackle the economic and environmental impacts arising from congestion.

"The works on Stratford Road, which require the removal of the poplar are necessary in order to widen and lengthen the approach, and exit lanes to  Oakalls Roundabout. This, along with the introduction of traffic signals, will help to reduce the severe congestion experienced at this location.

"Worcestershire County Council undertook a consultation exercise earlier this year regarding the removal of the tree and representations received were carefully considered by the Street Tree Review Panel before a decision was made to proceed.

"The Panel reached this conclusion because there are no alternative engineering solutions which would allow the tree to be retained.

"The tree is not subject to a Tree Preservation Order and arboriculture experts have advised that they estimate the tree to be between 40 and 60 years old which is towards the end of its expected lifespan.

"Arboriculturists have also confirmed the poplar can be removed without affecting a nearby Wych Elm tree.

"All trees that are being removed as part of the BREP programme will be replaced on a 2 for 1 basis as close as possible to the area from where they are removed.

"A number of other consultations have been carried out in relation to BREP, and some changes have been made as a result of feedback received.”