Nottingham tram 'threat' to Meadows trees

Residents living on a new tram route in Nottingham are worried about the loss of trees during construction.

The Meadows residents said work crews will uproot lime trees and cause disruption during work to extend the tram line to Beeston.

Community spokesman Pat Thomas said a green area - which she called an urban crown jewel - was under threat.

Tram project director Chris Deas said some trees would have to be removed but they would be replaced.

Mrs Thomas, chairman of the Meadows Partnership, said the plan to dig up trees along Queen's Walk was a threat to lime trees that she described as "the jewel in the crown of Nottingham".

'Beautiful environment'

She said: "It is a real concern - this is an area of great beauty with a walk towards the river with a double line of lime trees on either side.

"Cyclists and walkers use it a lot - there are not many places as beautiful as that in the city environment."

Mr Reas said: ""We fully recognize the importance of Queen's Walk for Nottingham's heritage, but some of the trees need to be removed because of the construction work."

He said the "main corridor of lime trees" that runs down Queen's Walk will not be touched.

"The green experience that people experience will remain and we will replant any trees we take down."

He said work crews will also try to "minimise noise during the construction period".

Work on the extension to the Nottingham Express Transit (NET) network is expected to start at the end of the year after final contracts are signed with the new tram operator Tramlink, he said.

NET Line One began operating in March 2004 and runs between Hucknall and Nottingham city centre while NET Phase Two will run to Clifton and Beeston.