RESIDENTS were “heartbroken” to witness an area of woodland being devastated near their homes in East Grinstead.
Sam Baldery and her neighbours were shocked to hear the sound of chainsaws ripping through trees overlooking the railway line on the Charlwoods estate on Monday last week.
But Mrs Baldery, of Charlwoods Road, feels the work carried out has been to the detriment of people living in the area.
“Unfortunately, the workmen have taken away some of the larger trees that provide cover to reduce noise disruption and screen us from the railway line. Now they have removed these trees we can see the railway line – and the houses on the other side.
Mrs Baldery added that, had there been more communication between Network Rail and the residents, it would have been easier to accept.
“Whilst I appreciate that safety is paramount and that trees along the railway are removed, I feel that disruption to residents and the environment needs to be considered more.
“I do hope that when spring arrives the vegetation and trees recover to fill the spaces that have been left and provide homes for wildlife.”
A Network Rail spokesman said: “Our engineers were sent to Charlwoods Road in East Grinstead to remove a tree that had fallen on the railway.
“Ordinarily, we’d aim to make local residents aware in advance of any work taking place, but as this was an emergency we didn’t have time.”
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