A campaign is underway to save trees in a park.

Network Rail have sent letters to neighbours about plans to clear a seven-metre area either side of the tracks at Victoria Park, Deal.

This is part of a tree and vegetation management programme.

Notices were pinned to many of the trees believed to be under threat, sparking a community campaign to protect them.

Dover & Deal MP Natalie Elphicke has now also stepped in, raising the matter with Network Rail bosses at a meeting in Parliament.

Mrs Elphicke said: “This issue has caused great concern in our community.

“Victoria Park is a lovely place to walk your dog or spend time with the family – and would be diminished by the loss of what appear to be perfectly healthy, mature trees.

"I have asked Network Rail to make sure that they work with the community to make sure new trees are planted.”

“It’s not clear what now has changed as the trees have stood there for decades.

"On top of that, this is the time to be planting more trees, not taking down the ones we have already got.

“If there are safety reasons why the trees must go, rather than, for example, being cut back away from the tracks, I have asked Network Rail to make sure that they work with the community to make sure new trees are planted.”

Mrs Elphicke met Paul Harwood of Network Rail and Southeastern managing director David Statham at a special Parliamentary railway summit.

She also asked when agreed improvements to Deal station would take place and about improvements to those at Walmer and Martin Mill.

Mrs Elphicke said: “We worked so hard to secure High Speed trains for our area in the first place. It is just as important for everyone to feel safe and comfortable when they use them.

“That’s why when I met with train bosses I pressed for maintenance and improvement works for these stations to be carried out as quickly as possible.”

A Network Rail spokesman told the Mercury: : We plan to carry out essential work to manage vegetation in the Victoria Park area of Deal.

"This is safety work and will be needed to reduce the risk of trees falling on the railway due to adverse weather, which could impact on the safety of passengers and disrupt train services.

“Network Rail works hard to keep residents informed about work to the railway and we have written to those living near the line to inform them of the work.

"While no start date has been confirmed as yet, we are using well thought out standards and policies for Victoria Park that have been developed over many years with the help of experts.

“We are constantly balancing the needs of the environment and its line side neighbours with the needs and safety of the 4.8m people who use and rely on our railway every day.

"They believe our plan for the area will strike the right balance while maintaining a safe and biodiverse line side.”

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