Residents angry at decision to fell dozens of trees next to busy roundabout

They say that Highways Agency failed to inform them of planned work on the Norton Interchange over the A19

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Gallery: Loss of trees near Norton Interchange roundabout

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Residents have complained after dozens of trees were cut down on a busy roundabout.

Highway maintenance work recently began on the A1027 sliproad roundabout, above the A19, to improve an embankment.

But residents on Norton’s Crooksbarn estate are annoyed with the cutting down of trees during work on the unstable ground.

Resident Maureen Holmes said: “I can’t believe it’s happened and they haven’t even informed us.

“The trees created a natural crash barrier if any cars were to go down there. If they do now they’d just be on the A19 road.

“We also felt they were useful for preventing drivers from being dazzled by car lights from the other side of the roundabout.”

John Lucas, who’s been with the local residents’ association for 30 years, said: “They (Highways Agency) told me that they want to improve the ground gradient.

“Basically, they told us that because there hasn’t been an accident so far, we don’t have to worry. How can you say that?”

A Highways Agency spokesperson said: “Work is taking place at the A1027/A19 Stockton Ring Road junction to stabilise the embankment following a land- slip in the area.

"As part of this work, trees on the embankment have had to be removed.

"The trees at this location were not in place to prevent glare from oncoming vehicles or to act as a vehicle barrier.

"The removal of these trees will not impact on safety at the junction.

“By lessening the gradient of the embankment, the start of the slope will be brought closer to the road.

"As part of the design process a detailed risk assessment was carried out which concluded safety fences are not required at this location.”