Trees near Exeter rail line to be felled

Vital work needs to be carried out on trees overhanging the railway line at Flowerpot Fields, the City Council has been told.

Network Rail approached the City Council, as trains were clipping the ends of some overhanging branches and the foliage was also causing sight problems for the drivers.

Work, involving the pollarding, crown removal and some felling of the trees to the rear of the car park off Flowerpot Lane will be carried out over a two-week period in September. The car park will need to be partially closed while the work is carried out.

Cllr Keith Owen, Lead Councillor for Environment, said: “We appreciate that the work carried out is going to make the area look very stark but for safety of those travelling on the railway we have to comply with Network Rail’s wishes.”

Cllr Owen added that because of the size and species of the trees and given their close proximity to the railway line, radical intervention was needed to avoid repeat work in a few years time.

“Because some of the trees are Ash, which are prone to losing limbs or falling at their current  size, we have no alternative but to fell them.”

Others species are dependent upon their location and shape and these will be pollarded or their crowns removed. Each tree will be dealt with on an individual basis based upon the future risk and its age.

The City Council will be working closely with Network Rail and will publicise the start date and details of the car park closure when more information is available.