DOZENS of trees are likely to be removed as part of widespread improvements to Southampton’s station quarter.

Southampton City Council has applied to remove 24 trees to the north of the central station as part of public realm improvements.

The authority wants to replace them with 24 new trees, which would be laid out in a new arrangement.

The city council’s planning and rights of way panel will decide on the plans on August 20.

Earlier this year council chiefs approved spending £2.28million on the first phase of improvements to the area which will include new footpath and road surfaces, a new taxi rank, a pedestrian crossing and public realm improvements.

That is part of a wider, £10million project which will eventually include an upgrade to the station’s forecourt and new rail, taxi, cycle and pedestrian facilities.