From Yellow Advertiser (28.4.10)
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Cranham residents are taking a stand against plans to chop down trees and expand a railway depot.
More than 40 households along the sidings in Ingrebourne Gardens and Eversley Gardens, Cranham, have signed a petition which urges Transport for London (TfL) not to cut down the trees, which have stood for 50 years. The organisation wants to expand the London Underground depot near Upminster Station, starting from next year.
Petition organiser Colin Gray, 69, from Ingrebourne Gardens, explained: “We have these trees which keep away both the sound and the sight of the sidings. They also provide some security for people, and we don't want them got rid of.”
The grandfather-of-eight added: “They are a very important part of the area, and we need to have them kept.”
Mr Gray's wife, Maureen, 63, said there was also ecological matters to take into consideration.
The mother-of-four, who has lived in her home for 40 years, said: “We see foxes, birds and slow worms, among others, living in the trees, so it would be wrong to remove them.”
Their neighbour, Albert Tanner, said there was a very good reason why the trees should not be cut down.
The 79-year-old, who has lived in his home since 1958, explained that there had been conditions set up when the current sidings replaced the pig farm that had stood at the site. He said: “When the sidings were approved, there was a condition that there would be four rows of trees on the northern border of the plot - that is, behind Ingrebourne Gardens and Eversley Gardens.
“I would hope London Underground honour that agreement.”
London Underground said it wanted to work with residents on plans for the depot.
A spokesman said: “We are aware of residents' concerns and are currently trying to address these in our designs, which are due to be completed later this year.”
30.4.10
