Beech trees to be felled over road safety concerns

The three beech trees at Patcham Place will be taken down by 20 December

Three large trees in Brighton, East Sussex, are to be cut down over fears they may fall on to "the busiest road in the city".

Brighton & Hove City Council said the beech trees at Patcham Place Recreation Ground had been damaged in recent storms.

"Structural weaknesses, recent storm damage and exposure to high winds mean they risk falling and causing serious injury, damage to cars and disruption to the busy A23," a council spokesperson said.

Work is to begin on Friday and expected to be completed by Christmas Eve.

Alan Robins, cabinet member for sports and recreation, said: "While it's sad that these beautiful trees need to be removed, the reality is that they have significant structural defects.

"And given their size and location next to the busiest road in the city, we cannot keep them and maintain a reasonable level of safety for those using the road."

The A23 will remain open while the work is carried out, and options to replace the trees were being considered, the council said.

Pedestrians will be diverted around the work site and wildlife checks will be carried out before and during the work to minimise any disturbance, it added.

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