USUALLY trees are planted to help the environment but Highways England seem to have done the opposite resulting in an environmental impact for people living alongside a part of the A30.

This has resulted in a Noise Abatement Action Group (NAAG) being formed at Tedburn St Mary, including Pathfinder residents.

Chairman of Tedburn Parish Council, Mrs Linda Bellshaw, had offered to chair the action group at its first meeting last month until it had a more formal set-up.

This second meeting (held on November 2) was much better attended than the first, mostly thanks to the number of leaflets distributed around the village by volunteers and publicity in the village monthly magazine.

More than half of the people at the meeting in the village hall were wearing masks.

Explaining the background Mrs Bellshaw said there had been a “somewhat disappointing” response from Highways England who, it was felt, had been patronising in saying that people thought the road was noisier since trees were removed because the road could now be seen.

However, people now felt the road was invasive because they could see people in their cars which they could not before the trees went. People in cars could now look into residents’ gardens.

It was acknowledged that Highways England had written to those living within 200 yards of the road but the recipients had no idea the result would be to such a scale.

“We pointed out we did not want money as compensation but a practical solution. Highways England’s response was that we did not fall within a Noise Important Area. They would look at a quieter surface the next time it was to be resurfaced. We were somewhat disappointed with this,” said Mrs Bellshaw.

A member of the public remarked that by removing the trees, the road had not been made any safer, only noisier.

Mrs Bellshaw pointed out that three rows of trees were to be replanted instead of two as planned. The work would be done between October and March.

“Most of them would take at least five years to grow and what do we do until then,” she asked.

A member of the public pointed out that Tedburn was different because the road did not just go straight past but it was elevated and swept around a bend which meant some people now had vehicle lights shining in their houses, which had not happened before.

People wanted to know what sort of risk and environmental assessments had been made prior to removal of the trees.

Someone suggested asking for a reduction in council tax for those affected because of a reduction in amenities.

Several asked whether putting up noise barriers might help, some sort of temporary screening along the 600 yards where the most trees had been removed.

A Pathfinder resident said she had never before been able to see cars on the A30, only the tops of lorries, now she sees the cars as well.

NAAG will be seeking the help of MP Mel Stride and more leaflets will be distributed in the village asking people to write to Highways England and Mel Stride with their concerns.

The next meeting of NAAG will be held on Tuesday, November 30 at Tedburn Village Hall in the John Bromell Room.