HEREFORD GREEN PARTY PRESS RELEASE:
Forty-nine locals vow to stand in front of chainsaws to prevent loss of Meadow trees.
A capacity crowd of nearly 300 people filled two floors of Hereford’s Watershed building last night, to hear a coalition of groups talk about the Environment Agency’s poorly-designed flood defence scheme for the City. Attendees expressed support for the provision of effective flood defences – but also concern over the Council’s lack of vision and leadership in passing the current scheme by which established trees on Bishop’s Meadow will be needlessly cut down. Green Party prospective Council candidate Martin Wyness asked people if they would be willing to stand under the affected trees, thereby making it impossible for workers to fell them. Forty-nine people expressed a commitment to stand in the way of the chainsaws in order to protect Hereford’s wonderful cultural and natural heritage.
Members of the public attending the meeting expressed surprise that local ward Councillors were not present to take questions as to why they had not robustly challenged the scheme during the planning process. Disappointment was voiced as to why that process was not publicised sufficiently for residents to engage with it effectively.
The Green Party hopes that Councillors who felt they could not challenge the Environment Agency and DEFRA before, because of fears of losing funding, will now find the courage to stand with the coalition as it demands that the scheme is rethought.
Green Party prospective Council candidate Martin Wyness asked the Environment Agency representative present at the meeting: “Can you give an assurance that the trees affected will not be cut down in a rush in order to beat restrictions caused by the imminent bird nesting season?” The Environment Agency’s reply was that a survey would be carried out.
Because it is still too early for nesting, this effectively means that the chainsaws can come at any moment, even before the Environment Agency or Council looks at any alternative proposals.
The Green Party is disappointed that Hereford Liberal Democrat MP Paul Keetch has until now, not seen fit to question the scheme properly until he saw the scale of public concern. Hereford needs a dynamic and passionate Member of Parliament who will argue the case for keeping the money on the table while we amend the detail of these plans that would do so much damage to Hereford’s historic environment. A somewhat reluctant Mr. Keetch said on radio yesterday “I am assured by the Environment Agency that if there is fine tuning that can be done, it will be done”. Let us hope he holds the agency to that promise.
ENDS
NOTES FOR EDITORS
It is quite possible that Elgar walked beneath the trees that will be destroyed by this scheme. There is also a memorial on the site that says that Elgar penned The Enigma Variations after seeing the Cathedral organist’s dog fall into the river at this spot.
The coalition is fully in favour of a flood defence scheme for the city, but not this one.
RRA Architects showed their alternative and sympathetic proposal to the public meeting.
The coalition in favour of better flood defences includes: –
Cycle Hereford
The Disabled Users Access Group
Friends of Castle Green
Friends of the Earth
Fodder
The Green Party
The Hereford Civic Society
RRA Architects
St James and Bartonsham Community Association
Watershed
For further information please contact:
Martin Wyness
Media – Hereford & South Herefordshire Green Party
07809 150344
mediasouth@herefordshiregreens.org.uk
www.herefordshiregreens.org.uk