One of Preston’s protected areas is set to see trees felled to make it safer for pedestrians.
AdvertisementSt Ignatius Square in the St Georges ward will be revamped after concerns about the pavements becoming unsafe due to wayward tree roots.
19 trees are due to be felled and 16 new trees planted to ensure the square maintains its character, which has been protected since 1982 by conservation area status.
Priest at the St Ignatius Roman Catholic church Father Tom Singleton said he and his parishioners had no objections to the plans.
He said: “If they are only replacing the trees and not the flags then that’s okay. There were plans to replace the flags but there is strong local feeling about those, as they make the character of the area.”
Father Singleton said the pavements were becoming dangerous because of the roots.
“They are growing up. With the roots and the slippery flags people are having to walk in the road sometimes because it’s too dangerous,” he said.
He said with the area being a conservation area he hoped the work the county council undertakes would be respectful.
A joint Lancashire County Council and Preston City Council consultation document states: “Following discussions about the uneven footpaths and displaced kerb problems, along with the review of the condition of the trees, a proposal to renew all the street trees in the Square has been put forward for consideration.
“The trees shall be replaced with two lines of eight trees in each street, regularly spaced along the footpaths.”
The work will be undertaken by the county council once consent is given by planning officers at the city council – which is expected to be this month.
View a diagram showing the proposals for the square and the full planning application.
Image credit to Tony Worrall