A HOMEOWNER whose property backs onto a railway embankment says it looks like the aftermath of the Somme following work by Network Rail.

Businessman Colin Clark, 57, of Southbrook Road, Lee, received a letter from Network Rail informing him tree maintenance would be carried out on the embankment behind his house the day after the clearance work started.

He says he is just one of many residents angry and concerned at the lack of notice and information available about what is happening close to their homes.

"I woke up on April 9 and saw them hacking away all the trees. That was the first thing we knew about it," he said.

"The foreman told me this was part of the line management programme to stop leaves on the track come autumn but they have chopped down living and dead wood.

"The embankment looks like those pictures of the Somme in the First World War."

Mr Clark is also concerned about his loss of privacy and the security of his property, as the clearance allows easy access into his back garden.

Fellow Southbrook Road resident Jenny Carey, 50, is also angry about the deforestation.

She said: "I appreciate they have to do this work but this is devastation.

"We have lived here for 20 years and our garden has never been overlooked. Now anyone can see in and the noise from the railway has increased 100 per cent.

"My main concern is what they plan to do with the embankment. Will they plant new trees? The residents are very upset and very shocked. We have not been consulted about this at all."

A Network Rail spokesman said: "Network Rail is undertaking a programme of essential safety-related tree felling in the railway cutting at Lee.

"The area will be replanted with Hawthorne and Blackthorn in due course species which are good for wildlife and do not cause the railway problems.

"A letter and leaflet drop took place in advance of the work being carried out, to notify local residents."