SPRINGWATCH presenter Chris Packham has spoken out on the 800 trees which were accidentally chopped down in Reading.

The saplings were recently mistakenly mowed down by Reading Borough Council (RBC), which has since apologised.

Mr Packham tweeted: “I presume RBC, you will be replanting them? This winter?” 

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The trees in Palmer Park were first planted by a group of volunteers in 2016 and 2017.

Yesterday the council announced it has invited those volunteers for a meeting to discuss their preferred solutions after the mistake.

 

 

The saplings were chopped down during a ‘routine clearance of undergrowth’ by the council’s maintenance team. RBC has said it will replace them with larger trees. 

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Councillor Karen Rowland, lead member for culture heritage and recreation, said: “The council has arranged a meeting with key volunteers, who planted the saplings in 2016 and 2017, to discuss how the valued relationship that we have can best be knit back together.

“The council cannot tackle climate change alone, so the relationship we have with volunteers is very much valued as part of this effort.

“At this meeting, we will discuss what solutions would be amenable to the group. Until that meeting has taken place, we will be unable to confirm what will be planted and where.

“We hope we can work together to set to rest the issue of the accidental mowing of the area to rest.”