West Northamptonshire Council has paused part of the construction work on a new Active Travel route after residents protested over damage to a mature tree.

In June, the council began the second phase of its £4.7 million Abington Active Travel scheme, improving walking, cycling and wheeling routes along Park Avenue South and Bridgewater Drive, says the Northampton Chronicle.

Residents living near Bridgewater Drive called for an immediate halt to the works so the council could review how mature trees in the area were being protected. They say the trees are an important community asset.

The council has confirmed that during construction, unintended damage was caused to the root system of a silver birch tree near the new cycling and walking path. An expert assessment concluded the tree had to be removed because it had become a potential safety risk, while a local resident confirmed that the tree was felled yesterday (6 August).

WNC said it has paused the next section of works on Bridgewater Drive, between MacLean Close and Trinity Road, while it reviews the scheme to ensure no further trees are damaged. Work already under way between Abington Park Crescent and MacLean Close will continue before the wider site is shut down during the review.

Councillor Richard Butler, WNC’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said:

“Our priority is to deliver improvements for walking, cycling and public transport. That said, it’s vital that we protect and even enhance the environment while we carry out this work.

“We will provide further updates as the review progresses and before any additional work resumes on Bridgewater Drive.”

(Picture: West Northamptonshire Council)