Shock at extent of tree felling by the Caledonian Canal in Inverness
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Councillor Duncan Macpherson believes too many trees have been chopped down to make way for the latest phase of the Inverness West Link.
Oak trees have been brought down along the canal side to make way for a second swing bridge and poplar trees along the edge of the A82 at Glenurquhart Road have also been felled in the name of health and safety.
Cllr Macpherson said he and many others were shocked to see the extent of the felling.
He said: “I can understand the need to have one or two trees down for the new swing bridge but it seems to me like they’ve just gone and taken every single tree down. Did they really need to do that?
“I wouldn’t exactly call myself a tree-hugger but I’m thinking ‘guys come on, are you sure you needed to take that many down?’”
Inverness musician Roderick Mackenzie, who lives nearby and is concerned about protecting the environment, said it made him feel ill to see mature trees being cut down.
“This is abuse of the environment,” he said. “It’s sickening.”
A council spokesman said it was “always troubling” to see mature trees removed but insisted the scale of the operation was necessary.
And he said an environmental survey had been carried out before the felling started to rule out the presence of bird nests, bat roosts and similar habitats in the trees.
He added: “The poplar trees adjacent to the A82 were in very poor condition and would have needed significant reductions or complete removal, regardless of the development.
“Part of the stage two works will develop park land and there is a comprehensive replanting plan incorporated into the works commencing later this year.”
