ANGRY residents are calling for work axing hundreds of trees to be halted.

They say the scheme is “too drastic” and are calling on civic chiefs to put it on hold because they were not consulted.

It comes only a week after a motorcyclist died hit by a tree while he was driving on Greatbridge Road in Romsey.

But Test Valley council said their plans to take an axe to hundreds of trees in Romsey is not linked.

They added that the work is being undertaken on the grounds of health and safety and therefore did not need public consultation.

Test Valley council has decided to fell hundreds of trees along the railway line behind Seward Rise, Jenner Way, Feltham Close and Hestia Close in Romsey, after many of them were found in decline and with unstable roots.

But John Burgess, who lives nearby and is also a councillor at Romsey Town Council, said: “The decision is too drastic. It will look horrendous.

“It’s a nice patch of countryside that people will lose. We want the council to put the decision on hold, consult and look at it again but it looks like it’s a done deal.”

Residents said they were informed of the works ten days before they started on September 18.

Mark Wood, 76, retired, from Romsey, added: “We didn’t have an opportunity to look at the proposal.If they are going to cut all the trees down and they won’t regenerate for many years, it will change the nature of the area.”

A Test Valley Borough Council spokeswoman said a meeting was held on site on September 14, with the TVBC arboricultural officer, local councillor and residents, to outline the reasons for the work.

She added: “The work did not require the council to formally consult with residents due to the need for the work to be carried out for health and safety reasons.

“The trees are less than 15m from the railway line so we are taking proactive, preventative action to reduce the likelihood of severe damage.”

She explained the trees will be cut following a process called coppicing, which means that the stumps will be left on site and will regenerate.

“This process will aid with flood alleviation, site safety and bank stability management,”the spokeswoman added.

She also confirmed that other options were considered, including felling a small number of trees at a time but this would leave other areas vulnerable to increased wind loading, raising potential for more failures.

Cllr Mark Copper, councillor for the Tadburn Meadows ward, said: “Coppicing is the standard plan for woodland on valley floors.

“Nevertheless, it’s causing a terrible shock for people when they see coppicing taking place because it’s drastic but the trees will grow back quickly and the variety of birds and insects increases significantly.”