Forest Hill tree must come down to aid footbridge repairs, council insists

Nature lovers are up in arms about the imminent destruction of a plane tree to make room for a crane needed to restore a footbridge.  

Those opposed to the scheme convened on Sunday to put up banners, frame a plan of action and start up a petition. 

The Sydenham Park footbridge is behind Dartmouth Road in Forest Hill and the council plan is to revamp the stairs leading up to the walkway and to replace the main span of the bridge to make it “safer and easier to use.” 

One of those taking up the fight, Kate Murray, set up a petition on Change.org to voice concern and appeal to Lewisham council to think again. 

“One tree may seem like just one tree.  But to us, our community and our school kids, it’s more than that,” the text reads. “Every tree counts and this mature London Plane tree seems just to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

“Lewisham council has given permission to fell the tree, which has stood for easily a century, in order that a crane platform can be constructed, for just one weekend’s work. There must be a way to do this that doesn’t mean the destruction of the tree.

“We’re taking inspiration from the Cox’s Walk Footbridge campaigners, who successfully saved two oak trees from felling. Southwark council was prepared to look differently at engineering solutions and we call on Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham to do the same.” 

But Lewisham council said the tree must come down. 

A spokesman said: “The footbridge is used by a large number of people on a daily basis, including parents and children who use the bridge to access local schools. 

“Without carrying out these critical works the bridge is likely to be closed. This would make it harder for residents to walk or cycle around the borough, resulting in an increased number of car journeys and a negative impact on the environment.

“In order to allow construction work to take place, one tree will need to be removed. Removing a tree is always a last resort and we have explored all possible options to avoid this outcome, including using a larger crane and delivering the new bridge span to site via the railway line.  

“These options would have resulted in the removal of additional mature trees, delays to the project of up to five years and additional costs of over £400,000.” 

The council is pledging to compensate for the lost tree by planting four others after consulting residents over location and species. And the axed tree will be turned into wood chips for use in our local parks. 

The tree is scheduled to be felled before works start on the week beginning October 31. 

Pictured top: Residents opposed to the felling put up a protest banner on the tree that is under threat (Picture: Jim Helmore)