United Utilities have felled more than 30 non-native Leylandii trees, which will be replaced with native species, as part of the work they are currently undertaking in Langwathby.
The trees were out of place in the rural setting and are commonly only found in gardens in the UK. The felled trees will allow access to the village sewer works, where a huge water improvement programme is currently underway.
Paul Wheadon, the project co-ordinator on the site, stated:
“The trees were planted many years ago but were not the best choice for the rural situation. Leylandii are normally found in gardens so they looked unnatural in a rural setting. The project gives us the opportunity to replace them with more sustainable native species which will help the works blend into the landscape,”
£6.7 million is being spent on the project to improve the water quality in the River Eden and Briggle Beck over the next few months and the tree felling is just a part of this. Other work on the scheme involves sewage works at Skirwith and Winskill being transformed into pumping stations and a new 5km pipeline being laid.
Mr Wheadon continued:
“We are now building a new outfall to the River Eden where the cleaned and treated wastewater will be returned to the river. This work needs to be done before the end of September so we don’t affect the fish migration and spawning season,”