The two threatened mature oaks in Sydenham Hill Wood have been saved – for now – after an intervention from local Helen Hayes.
Campaigners feared the oaks would be felled by early November as part of planned maintenance work by Southwark Council on Cox’s Walk Footbridge, which both trees straddle.
After an eleventh-hour plea from the Dulwich and West Norwood MP, the council halted the work and is believed to soon launch a more in-depth consultation with residents about the way forward.
Hayes had petitioned the council to rethink their decision, and had support from two Dulwich councillors, Catherine Rose – former Mayor of Southwark – and Andy Simmonds.
“Southwark Council has agreed to halt the decision to fell two oak trees in Sydenham Hill Woods so that further options can be explored and community engagement take place,” she announced last Thursday.
The council will now re-look at other options to make sure the footbridge stays safe. Both trees had been due to be cut down at any point from Saturday, November 2, despite a public outcry that has seen 2,000 people sign a petition to protect them during essential safety work on the bridge.