Dear Editor,

Can anyone explain the reason for the carnage that has befallen an area of trees on the town and country trail?

As an article included in the Ross Gazette, (20th June 2018), “Permission given for tree work” states that overhanging branches and epicormic growth need to be removed for public safety. Surely that can’t be the reason why this has been allowed.

Apart from happening at the wrong time of year for nesting birds, the area has gone from a healthy green attractive appearance, to looking ugly and ludicrous.

Who has benefitted by the massacre? certainly not young cyclists needing to keep away from exposed areas, nor any residents having to look at it.

One wonders what might happen when we have heavy rainfall on the exposed area - a bit of a landslide? Hopefully not.

Mrs Rita Lewis

Ross-on-Wye