Walton High Street Trees

Results updated 3 Mar 2025

Removing the Current Trees

The cutting of the trees has resulted in a lot of new growth lower down on the tree trunks. The trees are now a bushy shape instead of having a clear trunk with canopy above head height. This causes visibility issues and will obstruct the pavement. The resulting growth of new branches will exacerbate these issues and ongoing management to address this would cause undue disruption of the High Street. Unfortunately, the trees cannot be moved elsewhere as their roots must be cut to remove them from the pavement.

We aim to remove and replace the current trees before the end of April 2025. In order to do this work we undertook a statutory consultation under the Environment Act 2021 for the proposed removal of trees.

 

Consultation on the removal of street trees

Surrey County Council consulted on the replacement of four trees, on the west side of the High Street close to the entrance to The Heart.

(consultation 17 January to 14 February 2025). 

 

There were 245 responses.

 

 

Of those that responded ‘Support’, comments may be summarised as follows.

• New trees would improve the high street’s appearance.
• Support for replacing, not just removing, the trees.
• Preference for smaller, native trees over ornamental ones.
• Emphasis on the importance of proper care for the new trees

 

Of those that responded ‘Object’, comments may be summarised as follows.

• The trees are well-established, enhance the high street’s appearance and are beneficial for the environment.
• The trees should be left alone and properly pruned.
• The community needs more trees to enhance Walton’s character.
• Concerns about the cost and environmental impact of removing and replacing trees.

 

Next steps

The responses have been reviewed by Officers and the Divisional Members.  Unfortunately, leaving the trees in their current condition is not a long-term solution for the reasons outlined above.  Therefore, it has been decided to proceed with the replacements.  The new trees are expected to have improved growth and enhance the character of the High Street in the longer term.