http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-the-trees-on-gilnow-road.html
Please go to the above link and sign the petition to stop Bolton Council from taking down the trees in Gilnow Road Bolton. Some people have complained that they cannot receive signals on their satellite dishes and there are too many leaves on the ground, what a stupid excuse to take down these wonderful trees which line the road and have been there for generations.
We were contacted By a John Howarth who asked for our help. We have given the people campaigning some info on how you can protest and fight to protect the trees, here is the link for anyone having similar problems with councils and businesses wanting to take trees down, people have had success with using the info provided. www.saveourearth.co.uk/soe_article.php?id=61
Here also is the letter we sent to Bolton Council;
This is to the planning committee
We are a environmental group in the UK who are very concerned about the lack of greenery and the loss of millions of trees in the UK which are being systematically destroyed to make way for modern living. We heard about the trees in Gilnow Road, and were privileged to see photos of these 33 very beautiful remarkable lime trees that line the road between Queens Park and Heaton Cemetery. Lime trees have an elegance and impressive history and we would be more inclined to move to an area which has trees lining it. As stated we have lost many trees in the UK and this must stop. We cannot afford to chop another tree down, not one more. Not only do trees help in combating CO2 levels but stored carbon will be released if you fell these trees. Trees help in cleaning pollution and chemicals, reduce noise levels and they also control winds and absorb water which means if the trees are destroyed not only are you exposed to more winds which are erratic but you also have the issue of flooding which from a home buyers point of view is a high priority which reflects in house prices. We also know that trees in urban areas can reduce temperatures by 4C (7F) more of this cover will be required as temperatures rise due to climate change.
We are also facing another global catastrophe, we are losing bees all around the world and we must do all we can to keep them from dying out, it is a fact that lime trees are very important for bees, especially honey bees, and make ideal honey plants for beekeepers, they produce a very pale but richly flavoured monoyfloral honey. These trees are also regularly visited by moths, the green caterpillar of the lime hawk moth is one of a number of insects that feed on the tree’s leaves and due to our declining population of insects we must protect these trees in order to sustain our wildlife. It would be wise not only in the interest of the local people but also due to the above information and not only on an environmental scale but from a moral obligation to continue to preserve these precious trees. A suggestion would be for the council to use the council tax which is paid by the residents to work with them in maintaining a clean up of leaves and for the trees to be sympathetically pruned to maintain them but also keeping their beauty. The people that are complaining should think about moving to an area which can satisfy their need for a cleaner car and a clear satellite reception. Will they also complain when they have been flooded out due to climate change.
Our lack of action in protecting these trees indeed all trees around the world that do us more good than we do them will inevitably seal our fate.
Thank you for your time
Kindest Regards
Denise Tansley and Mark Naughton
www.saveourearth.co.uk
A ONLINE campaign has been set up to save 33 trees which have been earmarked for the chop — because they interfere with residents’ Sky TV reception.
More than 200 people have signed up to the Save The Trees in Gilnow Road group, on social networking site Facebook, in a bid to force Bolton Council to think again about felling the decades-old lime trees in Heaton.
The authority says it is considering chopping down the trees because it has received a variety of complaints over the last five years.
Complaints include loss of light, pavement disruption, leaves in gutters, loss of Sky signal, growth on trunks, scratched cars and safety concerns.
But Ian McHugh, who is leading the campaign, believes the trees add historical value to the road, which leads into Heaton Cemetery.
He said: “These trees have been here for generations. I have a Bolton Evening News article which shows a picture of Gilnow Road in the 1940s so I’m guessing these trees were planted in the 1930s. These trees have contributed to the character of our area, and are a major reason why many people have chosen to live there.”
Bolton Council has said it will listen to residents and make a decision on whether to apply for permission to fell the trees based on “overriding public view”.
A spokesman said: “We are consulting on a proposal which would reduce the overall impact of the trees on the properties and the footpath while retaining the avenue effect of evenly spaced trees along the road. This would require the removal of alternate trees and the planting of four replacements.”