Campaigns to fight against the flood defense scheme is continuing, what did local residents do to save trees?
The trees in Roath Park along the brook.Protesters in Roath Park has successfully prevented a plan to fell trees by meeting with Natural Resources Wales this week.
NRW promised the fell would be halted from 12th to 16th in February and the local residents, such as Sion Edward, thought the meeting was “constructive and forward looking”. Towards many residents, it was a very important positive step and another meeting will be arranged in next week.
Local residents are having a workshop before the meeting.More than hundred trees were cut and 24 trees still waiting to be cut down due to the Flood scheme. NRW said it is the only way to widen the stream and maintain a standard for flood protection. However, this controversial work has attracted a lot of criticism as the destruction of environment and huge cost.
Sylvia Harris who lives near the park said, “It is unnecessary to cut down the trees in such a large scale and some trees won’t influence the flood scheme.”
Melissa Johansson, a local geologist said, “NRW heard our voice but not listen to us. We don’t think any of residents is willing to lose trees even with the current risk of flood, because the risk isn’t true.”
Oppositely, NRW said that the properties have a one in 30 or one in 50 risk of flooding every year.
Melissa Johansson, a local geologist who opposite to fell trees.The conflict between the residents and NRW is long-standing. In the earlier of February, NRW said it would restart the work which involved felling around 33 trees to widen Roath Brook.
So lucky to have such beautiful trees where I live. Sadly @NatResWales wants to fell them. Please show support to convince them this is wrong #treesofroath @RoathBrookTrees pic.twitter.com/79hIO1BCvU
— Sarah Jones (@jonesy_sa) December 4, 2017
However, NRW said the properties have a one in 30 or one in 50 risk of flooding every year.
The conflict between the residents and NRW is long-standing. In the earlier of Februrary, NRW said it would restart the work which involved felling around 33 trees to widen Roath Brook.
The tree was cut down in the Roath Park.
This declaration cause a public anger. Campaigners organised a series of protests and gathered 8,588 signatures to against the plan. Some people stood under or even climbed up to the trees in the morning and waited all day to stop cutting down trees.
“Climb the trees is a little bit unsafe. But stand under the trees, enjoy the nature and watch the birds is not illegal in a park,” said Melissa. She still insisted the group need to continue to protest,“we won’t step down and I think we will back to the park to protesting if they try to cut those trees again!”
Unfortunately, the number of signatures were not enough to put forward the consideration by National Assembly at the next relevant meeting. This means residents will have to wait for the next meeting of petitions committee on February 26th.se trees again!”
Read more : Campaign to save Roath and Penylan’s trees