Richmond Avenue fights to save its ‘wonderful trees’

Published: 22nd April, 2011
by PETER GRUNER

TWO magnificent 50-foot London plane trees – a feature of a Barnsbury street since Victorian times – are threatened with the axe.

Insurers claim the trees, part of a long row which sweeps down Richmond Avenue, are responsible for damage to a large property in the street.

Now, residents are calling on Islington Council, which has been asked to remove the trees, to get a second opinion on whether or not the roots are responsible for subsidence cracks under the house.

Until recently the council had been sympathetic to the residents’ views, but now it is under pressure to remove the trees or face possible litigation.

Residents point out that a large road hump opposite the house could have caused cracks in the property, as has happened elsewhere in the road. Vehicles drive over at speed, creating vibrations in house foundations.

The insurers have suggested that if the two trees, planted more than 120 years ago, are removed then the house might not need underpinning, a lengthy and costly alternative.

Christiane Comins, a former marketing worker with the Royal Horticultural Society, said one of the main attractions of Richmond Avenue was its trees.

“We have an almost unbroken avenue of trees leading down to Caledonian Road,” she added. “If they cut these two down what is to stop them removing others?

“Islington Council had been refusing requests by the insurers to remove the trees until quite recently. Now, trees could be axed at any time. It’s extremely worrying.”

She added: “These trees have withstood the Blitz, air pollution and everything else that London can throw at them. It would be a tragedy to lose them on the basis of just one report.”

It is understood the council’s tree officers sympathise with residents’ concerns and have suggested that cutting back and pruning, rather than removal, could eliminate the problem.

But that view is not shared by other officers, who fear that, should the trees be saved, the council could be faced with thousands of pounds in damages in a liability action.

Another resident, freelance journalist John Browning, said: “We’re obviously very sympathetic with the resident whose home has suffered these cracks. But we appeal to everyone involved to let us at least examine the alternatives to cutting down these wonderful trees. Once they have gone they are gone for good.”

Residents hope to call in their own tree expert to provide an independent report. 

The residents have support from former Green councillor Katie Dawson, who said: “It’s too easy to blame trees for damage like subsidence. There are often other issues like soil drying out that could be the culprit.

“Architects, planners and insurers should work with and around trees rather than always seeking the easy option of removing them.”

Labour environment chief Councillor Paul Smith said that test results showed the trees were the most likely cause of the problem.

“Clearly, if there is evidence that trees are causing damage then we have to act,” he added. “We know how much these trees mean to residents and are happy to discuss the situation with them.”