Campaigners fight to save threatened tree

The poplar tree was due to be cut down as part of a road improvement scheme

Campaigners who want to save what they believe to be a 150-year-old tree have urged councillors to scrap plans to chop it down.

The poplar tree was due to be felled as part of the A38 Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme (BREP) in Worcestershire, which is aimed towards improving traffic flow and easing congestion in the town.

But residents said cutting down the "incredible" tree was "not the right thing" and would impact local wildlife, with more than 270 trees having already been removed.

Worcestershire County Council told the BBC experts had advised the tree was actually aged between 40 and 60 years old and a public consultation would be held before a final decision was made about the tree.

Campaigner Debbie Cerrato told BBC Hereford and Worcester that council officers said the tree needed to be felled as it was "a danger to motorists".

"The residents are really angry about it, and these trees we need them to absorb all the carbon dioxide and pollution in the air," she said.

The local authority's A38 BREP scheme will see improvements to junctions, including road widening measures aimed at improving traffic flow and cycling and walking routes.

The county council said it would carry out a public consultation before making a final decision

Ms Cerrato said removing the trees had impacted animals such as bats, hedgehogs, squirrels and badgers.

"Already we're noticing that birds are confused and they don't know where to go because of the sweet chestnut trees that have been felled along the A38," she added.

"If this tree could talk, it would be telling us 'leave me alone'. We want the council to have a second opinion on the tree."

The local authority said the tree was not subject to a Tree Preservation Order and that arboricultural experts had advised it was aged between 40 and 60 years old.

"The full scheme proposals went through a rigorous assessment process and, following a public engagement process, were approved by the Department for Transport," a spokesperson added.

"Where trees are removed, they will be replaced on a two for one basis as close to the area from where they are removed as possible."