AS I walked up the High Street this morning I noticed, to my horror, that the last remaining trees in the pedestrian precinct had been removed.

Is there a secret plan to rid Northwich town centre of all natural landscaping?

The top end of Witton Street has already been treated to a make over with concrete and granite and the Bullring is now a featureless area.

All the junctions on the gyratory system have had their greenery removed.

Where is this destruction heading?

I can understand the need to remove trees for the redevelopment of Barons Quay and where flood defences are to be installed, as these will be replaced upon completion of the works.

But why is it necessary to remove perfectly good, mature trees from the precinct?

Other areas that have had trees removed for no apparent reason are at the bottom of Roberts Street, overlooking Hunts Lock, in front of the new Memorial Court, along Griffiths Road in Rudheath alongside the Trent and Mersey canal and further towards Tata Lostock works where a whole copse has been destroyed.

Would the "powers that be" like to explain?

David Dent Marine Approach Northwich