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Dawn tree felling in Sheffield sparks outrage Dawn tree felling in Sheffield sparks outrage
(about 2 hours later)
Angry scenes erupted when council workers arrived at dawn to fell trees in a long-running neighbourhood row.Angry scenes erupted when council workers arrived at dawn to fell trees in a long-running neighbourhood row.
Sheffield City Council began cutting down eight trees in Rustlings Road at about 05:00 GMT as part of a street improvement scheme.Sheffield City Council began 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 arrested after confrontations with workers were released without charge. Residents had demanded the trees remain. Three people arrested after confrontations with workers were released without charge.
Nick Clegg said the council's actions were "underhand". Sheffield Hallam MP Nick Clegg said he was outraged by the council's action.
For more on this story and others in South YorkshireFor 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. Mr Clegg, the Liberal Democrat MP for the area, said the council had acted as if it were running an anti-terrorist operation.
South Yorkshire Police said 12 officers were present at the request of the council for "the safety of residents and contractors". "I do not know what planet these people are on," he said.
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. "Arresting elderly residents? Arresting them when they are just trying to say 'don't chop this tree down'?"
But residents said the trees are healthy and should remain. Jenny Hockey, a retired sociology lecturer, was one of those arrested.
Campaigner Dave Dilner said: "The manner in which this has been carried out leaves a nasty taste in the mouth." "What can you do in that situation except exercise your right to peaceful protest and that's what we chose to do," the 70-year-old said.
The felling was "disgraceful" he said, as the trees were not diseased and damage to "the pavement was minimal". "They warned us they would arrest us if we did not move, which is what they did."
Resident Anne Cox 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. Mrs Hockey was arrested alongside her friend Freda Brayshaw.
"It really is awful." The retired teacher, 71, said: "It was just like an assault with arc lights, lots of policemen and chainsaws going up and down the road and we had no chance to do anything.
Two women aged 70 and 71 were among those arrested on suspicion of preventing lawful work, police said. "They had a kind of barrier, a tape around trees they intended to fell and I stepped inside and stood under a tree."
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 council said 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 arrests were made "just for obstructing the work of Amey [the contractors]", he added. Residents said the trees were healthy and should remain.
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 He said the work was carried out early in the morning on the advice of the police to ensure it was done safely.
Nick Clegg also said in a statement: "The way the council has acted is inexcusable". South Yorkshire Police confirmed that 12 officers "provided assistance at the request of 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.