This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-38012189
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Dawn tree felling in Sheffield sparks outrage | Dawn tree felling in Sheffield sparks outrage |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Angry scenes erupted after council workers arrived at dawn to chop down trees in a long-running neighbourhood dispute. | Angry scenes erupted after council workers arrived at dawn to chop down trees in a long-running neighbourhood dispute. |
| Sheffield City Council started cutting down eight trees in Rustlings Road at about 05:00 GMT as part of a street improvement scheme. | Sheffield City Council started cutting down eight trees in Rustlings Road at about 05:00 GMT as part of a street improvement scheme. |
| Residents have demanded the trees remain. Three people have been arrested after confrontations with workers. | Residents have demanded the trees remain. Three people have been arrested after confrontations with workers. |
| MP Nick Clegg called the council "underhand". | MP Nick Clegg called the council "underhand". |
| For more on this story and others in South Yorkshire | |
| The council said it carried out the work early in the morning under police safety advice. | The council said it carried out the work early in the morning under police safety advice. |
| South Yorkshire Police said 12 officers were present at the request of the council for "the safety of residents and contractors". | South Yorkshire Police said 12 officers were present at the request of the council for "the safety of residents and contractors". |
| The council claimed the work needed to be done as part of a £2bn scheme to improve streets and get rid of diseased, damaging or dangerous trees. | The council claimed the work needed to be done as part of a £2bn scheme to improve streets and get rid of diseased, damaging or dangerous trees. |
| But residents said the trees are healthy and should remain. | But residents said the trees are healthy and should remain. |
| Campaigner Dave Dilner said: "The manner in which this has been carried out leaves a nasty taste in the mouth." | Campaigner Dave Dilner said: "The manner in which this has been carried out leaves a nasty taste in the mouth." |
| The felling was "disgraceful" he said as the trees were not diseased and damage to "the pavement was minimal". | The felling was "disgraceful" he said as the trees were not diseased and damage to "the pavement was minimal". |
| Anne Cox, who is a resident of the street, said: "I've lived with these trees for so long, there's all the bats and the birds and everything, we sit and watch them every morning. | Anne Cox, who is a resident of the street, said: "I've lived with these trees for so long, there's all the bats and the birds and everything, we sit and watch them every morning. |
| "It really is awful." | "It really is awful." |
| Two women aged 70 and 71 are among those arrested on suspicion of preventing lawful work, police said. | Two women aged 70 and 71 are among those arrested on suspicion of preventing lawful work, police said. |
| A fellow campaigner, who gave his name as Jason, said: "We don't want a load of people arrested, what we want to do is fight for the people who have been arrested under a pretty obscure piece of legislation." | A fellow campaigner, who gave his name as Jason, said: "We don't want a load of people arrested, what we want to do is fight for the people who have been arrested under a pretty obscure piece of legislation." |
| The arrests were made "just for obstructing the work of Amey [the contractors]", he added. | The arrests were made "just for obstructing the work of Amey [the contractors]", he added. |
| Councillor Bryan Lodge, said the work was "essential to ensure Sheffield has healthy trees for future generations". | Councillor Bryan Lodge, said the work was "essential to ensure Sheffield has healthy trees for future generations". |
| He said: "We have made a final decision to increase the number of trees on Rustlings Road by almost 30%. | He said: "We have made a final decision to increase the number of trees on Rustlings Road by almost 30%. |
| "We need to replace eight out of the 30 existing trees, but we will plant 17." | "We need to replace eight out of the 30 existing trees, but we will plant 17." |
| Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat MP for Sheffield Hallam, tweeted his shock at the council's actions | Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat MP for Sheffield Hallam, tweeted his shock at the council's actions |
| Nick Clegg also said in a statement: "The way the council has acted is inexcusable". | Nick Clegg also said in a statement: "The way the council has acted is inexcusable". |
| He accused the Labour-run council of using "disproportionate and underhand tactics" and said it would inflame tensions between residents and the council. | He accused the Labour-run council of using "disproportionate and underhand tactics" and said it would inflame tensions between residents and the council. |
| In April a High Court judge dismissed a bid for a judicial review into the tree-felling programme. | In April a High Court judge dismissed a bid for a judicial review into the tree-felling programme. |
| Sheffield City Council has felled more than 3,300 trees since 2012. | Sheffield City Council has felled more than 3,300 trees since 2012. |