What’s Happening to the Trees on Leyland Street?

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Those who live, work or shop in Prescot Town Centre will have noticed that Leyland Street, off Eccleston Street, has been closed recently, and trees are being removed.

Leyland Street is a pleasant, leafy avenue, and understandably, the sight has caused some concern. Some Eccleston Street residents and businesses are unhappy they weren’t asked or notified about what was happening.

Knowsley Council informs me the trees have to be replaced to make the area compliant with the Disabilities Discrimination Act, as the trees are restricting access.

I haven’t walked all the way up Leyland Street in a few years, but one Prescotian I spoke to said the walking conditions were hazardous, with little space for people in wheelchairs and families with pushchairs. Pedestrians are often forced into the road to make room, he said.

The trees are being replaced, rather than simply removed, and the council officer I spoke to said the relevant department had “explored every option” before deciding on the scheme. I have asked if and when local residents and business were consulted, and I’m awaiting a response.

I’m interested to hear from those who have or use a business or residence on Leyland Street, or use the street regularly for access. What do you think?

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7 Comments

1. 

   Dorothy

   Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 12:25 pm

   The going was hard even for me an able bodied 60 something so for the elderly, wheel chairs,and pushchairs I can only assume it was treacherous. It is a shame they have to go they have been there all of my life, but hey they are being replaced not just taken away.

   Reply
2. 

   Dave63256

   Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 9:24 pm

   From what I saw of Leyland Street today was that it had all been closed off for four months. Maybe it’s just me, but why couldn’t it just be pedestrianised instead?

   Reply
3. 

   Sue Smith

   Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 12:52 pm

   Why didn’t the council leave the trees as they were and just made the pavements, on both sides of the street, wider. The road itself would of course have become narrower but then it could have been designated as a one way system. This would have saved the trees and been good for the environment, wheelchair users and pram pushers.

   Reply
4. 

   admin

   Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 8:03 am

   Locals who walk down there regularly have told me the tree roots were coming up through the pavement. With that kind of damage threatening the road, walkways and buildings, it seems replacing the trees was the only option. If it were pedestrianised, it would mean losing the car park entrance.

   Reply
5. 

   Margaret

   Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 7:10 pm

   It seems such a shame to have to chop down all the old majestic trees but sadly they were dangerous for pedestrians and hopefully the new trees and hanging baskets and planters will add a splash of colour in the summer and make it an enjoyable area to shop. I hope that the council will put Christmas fairy lights in the new trees as this always looked good and encouraged visitors to walk down to Eccleston St. Just hope the building work progresses soon so that the shopkeepers in Leyland Street can get back to business as normal. It would be nice to see some open air restaurants and cafes down Eccleston St in the summertime too as this will all add to the area

   Reply

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