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Anger after dozens of trees felled along Derbyshire railway line Anger after dozens of trees felled along Derbyshire railway line
(about 4 hours later)
Residents close to the felling site in Higham said they were horrified at the resultResidents close to the felling site in Higham said they were horrified at the result
Residents have described the felling of dozens of trees along a railway line in Derbyshire as "horrifying" and "tragic".Residents have described the felling of dozens of trees along a railway line in Derbyshire as "horrifying" and "tragic".
Network Rail contractors were ordered to fell the trees for "essential vegetation management" along the Midland Mainline near the village of Higham last week.Network Rail contractors were ordered to fell the trees for "essential vegetation management" along the Midland Mainline near the village of Higham last week.
But residents living nearby told the BBC workers had gone "far and beyond" what they needed to and felled "healthy oak and birch trees".But residents living nearby told the BBC workers had gone "far and beyond" what they needed to and felled "healthy oak and birch trees".
Ward councillor Heather Liggett said: "It's absolutely devastating for the area."Ward councillor Heather Liggett said: "It's absolutely devastating for the area."
Residents said the contractors had felled far more trees than they needed toResidents said the contractors had felled far more trees than they needed to
Network Rail said the work was needed to ensure the railway could "continue to offer a safe and reliable service" but apologised for the "concern" caused to the community.Network Rail said the work was needed to ensure the railway could "continue to offer a safe and reliable service" but apologised for the "concern" caused to the community.
But Sarah McRow, 56, who co-owns Brackenfield Alpacas nearby, told the BBC Network Rail's contractors had gone "far and beyond" what they needed to do.But Sarah McRow, 56, who co-owns Brackenfield Alpacas nearby, told the BBC Network Rail's contractors had gone "far and beyond" what they needed to do.
"I just burst into tears. I saw the birds, the thrushes, and it was just heartbreaking," she said."I just burst into tears. I saw the birds, the thrushes, and it was just heartbreaking," she said.
"Network Rail sent us a letter saying they were going to carry out the works over the winter period - that's fine the work needs to happen when it causes problems on the railway line. "Network Rail sent us a letter saying they were going to carry out the works over the winter period - that's fine, the work needs to happen when it causes problems on the railway line.
"But do not do it in bird nesting season.""But do not do it in bird nesting season."
Liggett said she first heard about the work when residents were "woken up to chainsaw noises at midnight".Liggett said she first heard about the work when residents were "woken up to chainsaw noises at midnight".
"It was just going to be vegetation cutback and the removal of the odd dying tree with ash dieback and the odd dangerous tree - not every single tree for miles with a 30-metre-wide band...it's horrifying," she said. "It was just going to be vegetation cutback and the removal of the odd dying tree with ash dieback and the odd dangerous tree - not every single tree for miles with a 30 metre-wide band... it's horrifying," she said.
Sarah McRow and Andy McCormick said the work had devastated the areaSarah McRow and Andy McCormick said the work had devastated the area
Fiona Cropper, 62, lives nearby and said they "knew nothing about it" until after it happened. Fiona Cropper, 62, lives nearby and said she "knew nothing about it" until after it happened.
Mrs Cropper said: "Either side of the tracks, as far as you could see, was a beautiful row of green, and suddenly we came back from a weekend away to find everything was gone... it's just tragic.Mrs Cropper said: "Either side of the tracks, as far as you could see, was a beautiful row of green, and suddenly we came back from a weekend away to find everything was gone... it's just tragic.
"I was absolutely shocked - we understand the line has to be made safe, but... this is totally excessive; everything has been taken away.""I was absolutely shocked - we understand the line has to be made safe, but... this is totally excessive; everything has been taken away."
Mrs Cropper added they were aware of trees with ash dieback disease which needed to be felled, but there were also "countless oak trees and mature birch" that were chopped down. Mrs Cropper added she was aware of trees with ash dieback disease that needed to be felled, but there were also "countless oak trees and mature birch" that were chopped down.
Fiona Cropper said she was not informed the work was taking placeFiona Cropper said she was not informed the work was taking place
Tara Scott, infrastructure director for Network Rail in the East Midlands, said: "We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously.Tara Scott, infrastructure director for Network Rail in the East Midlands, said: "We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously.
"There are clear rules around undertaking essential vegetation management during bird nesting season."There are clear rules around undertaking essential vegetation management during bird nesting season.
"We have a qualified ecologist who makes sure that we observe those rules, and all our teams on site are carefully briefed."We have a qualified ecologist who makes sure that we observe those rules, and all our teams on site are carefully briefed.
"This work is needed to make sure that the railway can continue to offer a safe and reliable service to our communities."This work is needed to make sure that the railway can continue to offer a safe and reliable service to our communities.
"We are sorry for the concern it is causing to the local community.""We are sorry for the concern it is causing to the local community."
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