A COUNCIL has been criticised for plans to fell trees on health and safety grounds by a resident who claims they are okay.

Romanby Parish Council, near Northallerton, aims to chop down two ash trees standing on a patch of grass at Oaktree Drive in the village.

They have obtained an expert’s report which the council claims backs up its view that the trees need felling.

But Oaktree Drive resident Jane Markham has accused the council of over reacting and claims they simply need pruning.

She says the council is merely concerned that it may be sued by someone if they are hit by a branch which has fallen off a tree.

Mrs Markham said: "Several weeks ago I saw someone drilling into the ash trees and he told me he was doing testing for the parish council.

"He said he had found evidence of disease but he didn’t recommend cutting them down. He said that if they were reduced and maintained on a regular basis they could stand for many years.

"Yet Romanby Parish Council say they will cut down the trees as they are dangerous and they were concerned about health and safety.

"It’s a lot of money to do this job and it’s not needed.

"The trees could be over 200 years old and I will exercise my right to protest in front of them if they come to chop them down."

Mrs Markham has lived in Oaktree Drive for ten years and she has taken advice on the trees’ health herself.

But a council spokesman said: "The council commissioned a professional arborist to assess the condition of the ash trees.

"Following their report it decided to have the trees, which were deemed unsafe, felled.

"This decision by the full council took regard of the safety issues and any possible personal injury or damage to property resulting from further deterioration in the health of the trees.

"The ash trees are not subject to any tree preservation order therefore the decision of the council would seem to be both necessary and sensible.

"Following the felling of the infected trees the council will arrange replacement trees to be planted."