Bike path plans could see 50 trees felled

"More than 50 trees could be felled under plans to build a cycle lane on Woolwich Common in south-east London. Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust owns and maintains the 0.62-mile (1km) stretch of road, which runs between Woolwich Common to the east and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital to the west. The trust wants to rebuild the road and upgrade it to adoptable highway standards, so it can be adopted by the Highway Authority and become public."

"Hundreds of residents, plus local groups, have objected to the plans, with many opposing the loss of trees. The NHS trust has proposed planting 76 replacement trees to mitigate the impact. Greenwich Council is due to make a decision on the proposals on Tuesday. The proposals for the Stadium Road and Baker Road carriageway could see a strip of land up to 8.2ft (2.5m) wide on Woolwich Common turned into a continuous, uninterrupted footpath and cycleway to replace the existing path"

"This road widening would result in the removal of up to 46 trees, as well as seven others "in extremely poor condition" that need to be removed regardless. Various crossing facilities have been proposed along the road, and the trust said it hoped the carriageway improvements would "offer enhanced and safer cycling and pedestrian facilities along this route". The plans have received 539 objections from Greenwich residents, as well as objections from the 250-strong local cycle campaigning group Greenwich Cyclists."

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust owns and maintains a 0.62-mile road between Woolwich Common and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and proposes to rebuild and upgrade it to adoptable highway standards. The plans would widen the eastern side of Stadium Road and Baker Road by up to 2.5m to create a continuous footpath and cycleway. The widening could remove up to 46 trees plus seven in poor condition, while the trust proposes planting 76 replacement trees. Various crossing facilities are proposed and the trust says carriageway improvements aim to enhance cycling and pedestrian safety. The proposals have attracted 539 objections and opposition from local groups, and a council decision is pending.

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