THIRTEEN mature trees are going to be felled in the next few days, to make way for vital rail works to be carried out.

Rail safety must take precedence over the lives of these much loved green giants, no matter how much they will be missed by the residents of Chedworth in Yate.

As resident Jo Cowley mentioned, the planned replanting will take many years to mature, and is a poor substitute for the loss.

Whilst it will be of little consolation to Chedworth’s residents at this time, it is perhaps worth remembering the work of the Victorians and Edwardians, who planted trees for future generations to enjoy.

We are now benefitting from our forebears’ forward thinking. Shouldn’t we be doing the same for the generations to come?

As well as their aesthetic beauty, trees absorb pollution, provide an essential home for wildlife, retain storm water and are a buffer against noise pollution.

Trees play such a vital role in our lives, why wait for a prompt from Network Rail to plant some more? Let’s do it anyway.