I REFER to your letters page of June 27, ''No Trees is killing the wildlife.''

Selective removal of trees from the flood banks of the River Roding was carried out as part of necessary flood defence activities by the Environment Agency.

The works solely focused on trees and shrubs along the flood banks that were catching debris/detritus and affecting the flow of the river.

These works were prompted by the severe floods of 2000, and further to regular inspection by the Environment Agency and information gleaned from police serial footage of the actual floods, which helped identify the number and location of trees and shrubs to be removed.

The Environment Agency owns the section of river in question and therefore has a public duty to take any necessary action to protect the landscape and surrounding areas from potentially serious flooding.

The works were initiated under the Land Water Resources Act and in line with the Environment Agency's own internal conservation guidelines. Consequently work took place in March, before commencement of nesting and to ensure minimal disruption to wildlife.

The Environment Agency received positive feedback from passers by and members of the local community who witnessed the work, particularly those in the immediate vicinity, forming part of the estimated 200 properties affected by the severe flooding of 2000.

Although the Environment Agency owns this part of the river it informed the London Borough of Redbridge and continues to liaise with it over ongoing management issues.

I hope this explains to Mrs Ellis and other readers what occurred and why.

JOYCE RYAN, Cabinet member for leisure and libraries, Inverness Drive, Hainault.

July 18, 2002 13:30