Sheffield tree campaigners have asked the Council to apologise after a new report revealed that many felled trees could have been saved by simple repairs. The joint report by Sheffield Council, Amey and Sheffield Trees Action Group contradicts the local authority’s claim that there were no easy engineering solutions to save hundreds of healthy trees. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Tree campaigners in Sheffield have called for a public enquiry after a recent report revealed hundreds of trees could be saved by pavement works and other solutions. A survey of 309 trees scheduled for removal concluded that 191 can be retained “on a long-term basis” but campaigners have accused the local authority of misleading the public. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Seven Sheffield campaigners have been awarded more than £3,000 each in damages by South Yorkshire Police after an independent watchdog ruled they were wrongfully arrested during a tree-felling protest. The Independent Office for Police Conduct found South Yorkshire Police had no grounds to make the arrest. The seven were arrested and charged between November 2016 and February 2017. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Fewer trees are to be felled by Sheffield Council and private contractor Amey following talks with Sheffield Tree Action Group to end the long running dispute. Sheffield Council have put forward new plans to reduce the number of trees to be removed from Sheffield streets following a mediated dialogue chaired by the Bishop of Sheffield. Sheffield Live spoke to Councillor Lewis Bagnall, cabinet member for environment and streetscene and Paul Brooke, co-chair of Sheffield Trees Action Group.
Sheffield City Council have reversed plans to fell some of 300 trees originally earmarked for replacement and to phase in the work on others. The decision has come after several mediation meetings between council officials and tree campaigners. The Sheffield Trees Action Group, STAG, said they welcome the council decision but will continue to campaign to save healthy trees. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Sheffield Council has revealed up to 17,500 trees could be felled by private contractor Amey, after publication of the street maintenance contract details at the demand of the Information Commissioner. The disclosure follows repeated freedom of information requests by campaigners. Sheffield Council claim the quantity is not a target and that current estimates are for 10,000 trees to be replaced over the 25 year contract period. Baillor Jalloh spoke to tree campaigner Paul Selby whose complaint to the Information Commissioner led to the revelation.
Around twenty protesters stormed the council chamber at Sheffield Town Hall following a three and a half hour meeting on Wednesday. Tree campaigners demanded to see the £2 billion contract between Amey and Sheffield City Council that has led to the city-wide felling of trees. The group continued a sit in at the Town Hall until the early hours of Thursday morning. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Paul Turpin, a Sheffield Green Party member involved in the protest.
Sheffield Council contractors Amey have said any tree protesters found to be in the safety zone attempting to slow down tree felling work will be removed using “reasonable force”. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
A group of tree campaigners mounted a protest by tying themselves together outside the depot of Acorn a sub-contractor in Darnall connected to tree felling programme in Sheffield. Acorn provides chipping machines to main contractor Amey. The action was part of the ongoing row over the decision to fell many of the city’s street trees. The blockade at the site involved nine protesters connected by climbing rope and preventing workers from leaving the depot. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Tree campaigner, Martin Young, involved in a stand-off with Council contractors, said he was given no notice of removal of the vehicle from Lismore Road. Sheffield Council said signs were put up in the area warning residents to remove their vehicles to allow tree felling works to continue. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!