Woman criticises council over cutting of trees in Hemel park during nesting season

A woman from Hemel Hempstead has criticised Dacorum Council for working on and felling trees in Gadebridge Park.

Wendy Vaizey questioned the council's timing of cutting the trees in the park during the middle of nesting season.

The 'Bird Nesting Season' is officially from February until August (Natural England), it is the time of year during which birds and some other animals, build nests, lay eggs in them, and in most cases bring up their young.

Wendy said: "The trees and woodlands department of Dacorum Council are currently working on and felling trees in Gadebridge Park.

"The works were agreed in January but they were postponed due to the Covid-19 crisis but now they’re doing it in the middle of the nesting season! Are they out of their minds?

"They say they check, but even if they check the tree they’re working on has no nests, the noise can be heard for miles and will disturb any bird in the park.

"I think they should think about the surrounding area as well, they could scare off other animals.

"Bird populations are already decimated.

"I understand that if trees are dying they may need to be cut down but I don't think all five of those trees were dying."

Dacorum Borough Council's contractors have carried out wildlife assessments prior to any works.

A council spokesperson said: "Within our work procedures, pruning or felling to address safety concerns takes priority over any other types of works, and usually is carried out without delay.

"However, Covid-19 restrictions required our contractors to stop works for a period of time.

"As soon as it was safe for them to return to work, they have continued with safety pruning/felling as the general public are using open spaces more than usual.

"The bird nesting season runs from March to September/October, and a delay of several weeks for safety works that were issued in January was not deemed acceptable.

"Our contractors do carry out wildlife assessments prior to works, and have delayed tree pruning in other parts of the borough where this can be accommodated."

Wendy added: "In general the council takes care of Gadebridge Park brilliantly but it's a shame to install insect hotels and bee boxes and plant banks of insect-friendly flowers and then do this.

"I imagine the tree removals must have been necessary. It's the timing."