Forum Topic

New Trees in Lionel Road North

Given the fact that Local Authorities are going to be more strapped for cash than ever, can someone explain to me why Hounslow Council has recently planted new trees along the whole length of the west side of Lionel Road North. Since this work started, I have spoken to dozens of residents, not one of whom was in favour of this bizarre scheme. After all, we are situated between Gunnersbury Park and the cemetery and we have no shortage of trees in the area. The tree planting is also storing up problems for the future - just look at the Ealing side of the road where the roots from "their" maturing trees are causing the pavement to crack and erupt, making it dangerous for pedestrians.Don't get me wrong, I love trees, but surely someone somewhere has a warped sense of priorities?

Mick Brent ● 5581d6 Comments

"The Mayor has pledged that at least 10,000 treeswill be planted on streets in 40 priority areas by the end of March 2012. Poor air quality has been one of the criteria used to determine these locations."Sounds sensible to me

Steve Taylor ● 5580d

Boris is also claiming the benefits of tree-planting to aid the problem of London air pollution (which could possibly result in a big fine from the EC).From his air quality strategy :4.12.3. Through the Mayor’s Street Trees Programme, over 5,000 trees have already been planted in 24 boroughs in London. The Mayor has pledged that at least 10,000 treeswill be planted on streets in 40 priority areas by the end of March 2012. Poor air quality has been one of the criteria used to determine these locations. Some researchhas shown that at a local level, trees can reduce concentrations of PM10, as the leaves and branches act as a filter to trap toxic particles. Care will be taken to ensure that trees are not planted so that they form a canopy that traps pollutants causing local concentrations to increase, using the ‘right tree, right place’ principle.

Tim Henderson ● 5580d

Interesting that Jim. My assumption was based upon some of the people I know who live on the "east side" who give their addresses as Lionel Road North, Ealing.Didn't realise it was a "Boris" initiative - dreadful waste of money whoever is responsible!

Mick Brent ● 5580d

A small point: my understanding is that both sides of Lionel Road North are in "Hounslow".So the trees on the east side (causing damage to the pavement) are "ours" and not "theirs" (Ealings).One wonders what other monies have been long earmarked for current or future "non-essential" expenditure should be aborted in the light of our plight.

Jim Lawes ● 5581d

These are most probably Boris's trees (Blondis leafidum)which are being bestowed on residents across the borough.  Just before May last year the Syon Estate had a flock of them installed without as much as a by-your-leave to the local residents. As a consequence residents quite rightly kicked up as some were placed in the most inappropriate places limiting already limited parking spaces and, in one road, restricting the width of the footway so  mothers with pushchairs had to step onto the carriageway to go around them.A fuss was made about this and the point was made that residents should be consulted if only because they probably have a much better understanding of where they live than anyone else where trees should be placed to avoid such nonsense again: I suggested that the footways could be marked up showing the PROPOSED position of each tree so residents would be prompted to comment if it could be consiered to be inappropriate.I'm glad to say this seems to have been adopted at least in some quarters: I was pleased to read Cllr Harmer was able to weild a little local democracy regarding the planting of trees in was it Hamilton Road? as a result.

Jon Hardy ● 5581d

I think you'll find this is a Boris initiative.  We had a leaflet to say our street had been chosen for more trees and markers put in the street showing their location. The site near our house was about 6 inches from BT telecoms and two Thames Water connections.  We spoke to someone at LB Hounslow and they've agreed to move them.

Pat Kingham ● 5581d