I am sure I am not the only person to be appalled that four beautiful, healthy, mature trees have been chopped down in the name of “improvement” to the so called Station Quarter.

Any urban designer worth his salt, surely, could have created a plan that revolved around the trees rather than destroying them.

The whole area has been a complete shambles for months and the work is set to continue for another year.

Phase One was meant to be finished by last month but the whole area is still a maze of fencing making access for pedestrians, cyclists and taxis a challenge.

No doubt the paving used on the roads will suffer the same fate as that in Above Bar by Guildhall Square, which has cracked and subsided making it particularly difficult for cyclists.

In both places, it seems that the ultimate aim is to create hard surfaces, only loved by skateboarders, removing any natural greenery to replace it with strategically positioned trees that don’t even look real.

Any saplings planted near the train station will take decades to reach the size of those cut down. Trees should be treasured not trashed.

While other cities seem to forge ahead with vast pedestrianised areas, comfortable benches, flower beds, tiered seating – all of which are conducive for sitting and watching the world go by – Southampton’s priorities seem to revolve around the motorist and improving traffic flow.

Thank goodness the Parks can’t be touched.

CARA SANDYS, Southampton.