Sir, - I read your front page article in the Guardian of January 23 and consider that you have been a victim of deception and have unwittingly deceived your readers. I think the record must be put straight.

A petition was organised by local councillors and members of the save the trees' campaign which allegedly was signed by 500 residents but the true facts, known to the organisers, were deliberately withheld from the persons asked to sign the petition.

I feel that many of the residents, having been told of the very serious danger to pedestrians and damage caused by the trees, may have thought seriously before signing such a petition.

The original report by Surrey Highways Engineers had stated that some of the trees in Penton Road are so mature that the footways are impassable in many locations. The growth of the trees and, therefore, the root spread is causing the footway construction to crack and be lifted.

This is, and will become, a potential hazard to users of the footways, as well as causing damage to private walls, property and also underground services. Works to the decayed tree that fell during the recent storms showed roots entwined around gas services, as well as causing heaving to mains, which could have had major consequences.'

Residents received a written statement in December informing the public that 39 trees were a serious hazard to residents and pedestrians and had to be removed for public health and safety reasons and then, in January, for no apparent reason, only 13 trees needed removal.

Surrey County Council must now employ an independent surveyor to report on the condition of the trees and submit an honest report, acceptable to all residents of Penton Road. There is no other alternative which will restore any faith in local democratic government.

I have lived in Penton Road for 35 years and over the past few years, the condition of the footpath and roadway has gradually deteriorated and has become a serious danger to pedestrians and a serious threat from a major incident, caused by damage to gas mains and other underground services.

The roadway in Penton Road and the entrance to Allyn Close is always flooded after rain, due to the damaged drains, and this flooding remains for days.

The flooding has occurred for years and, although known by the Highways Department, nothing has been done to repair the drains and remove the danger to pedestrians. When the roadway is flooded, pedestrians in Penton Road are unable to use the footway and have to walk in the roadway - this includes women with their children on the way to school.

I witnessed the re-inspection' of the trees which took place, as you reported, on January 16. Contrary to your article, however, I witnessed less than 20 people in attendance, many of whom were councillors and council workers. Only six were residents of Penton Road.

In your article, only one was mentioned and that was the local publican.

I am a conservationist and member of Greenpeace'. I accepted that the dangerous trees had to be removed and expected them to be replaced by younger ones.

I consider that all residents, including those who signed the petition, were deceived by David Wilshire MP, local councillors and members of the save our trees' campaign, by knowingly withholding vital information regarding the danger to members of the public and damage to essential underground services.

I feel that local democratic government has been degraded. - Denis Bond, Penton Road, Staines.

January 31, 2003 09:30