Campaign launched to save high street cherry trees

Sue Cooper, leader of a local campaign group, wants to save the trees along Walton-on-Thames high street

A campaign is under way to stop the felling of six mature cherry trees on a high street in Walton-on-Thames.

Surrey County Council is relocating a zebra crossing about 90ft (27m) to improve road safety, which would result in the trees being cut down.

The move has prompted opposition from local campaign group WOT Trees? (Walton-on-Thames Trees?).

Opponents say the £200,000 cost of the scheme would be better spent elsewhere in the town.

The council said no trees would be removed at this stage and the findings of a public consultation were being assessed.

Speaking to BBC Radio Surrey, Ms Cooper said the council in April started partially felling four trees but the group prevented the remaining two being cut down.

She added that at a later date the group arrived with chains to protect the trees, which "weren't needed" in the end.

The tops of the trees were cut down without warning in April, campaigners say

Ms Cooper said rooted trees capture carbon and pollution and helped keep streets cool.

"We know how important trees are because Surrey County Council have made a commitment to plant hundreds of them as part of their tackling the climate emergency locally," she added.

She also criticised the cost of the project to move the crossing.

"Local people should have had an opportunity to comment on how that money should have been spent," she said.

A statement from Surrey County Council said the scheme was paused following public feedback.

It said: "A public consultation ran from 16 November to 15 December 2023 to formally seek views from residents on their preferred measures for this scheme."