Liberal Democratic Pressure Means More Trees to be Planted by Hertfordshire County Council

Liberal Democrat Opposition Councillors have successfully persuaded the ruling Conservatives on Hertfordshire County Council commit to replacing thousands of trees that have been removed from highways.

In a report, the Council’s Highways and Transport Panel revealed that 4,494 trees had been removed from highways in the period 2018- 2021 but only 1,040 had been planted meaning a deficit of 3,455.

Following pressure from the Liberal Democrats the Conservatives agreed to replace as many of the lost trees as possible, where the location is suitable.

Lib Dem Cllr John Hale, who pressed for the need to replace highways’ trees said,

“A large number of trees have been removed and very few have been replaced. I am pleased that the council has now agreed that more should be done to replace trees along our roads. Trees serve an important environmental purpose, contribute to people’s sense of wellbeing and should be replaced whenever possible.”

Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst said,

“Urban street trees improve the street scene and contribute significantly towards reducing Co2 emissions in key pedestrian areas.”

“Global Heating is definitely going to get worse before our present efforts start to have an effect. Urban environments are significantly hotter because of absorbtion of solar radiation by buildings. Urban trees have a noticeable cooling effect as long as they are kept watered and of course their leaves and growth provide shade and a carbon dioxide sink,” added Cllr Nick Hollinghurst from Tring.