Fuming residents have been left stunned after several trees were “decimated" along a landslip-hit road.

Christina Ainsworth lives near the Road of Remembrance in Folkestone where the natural disaster occurred on January 27 blocking the road.

She says the area has been reduced to “ugly gaps and stumps” following the subsequent work by council contractors and the removal of more trees to protect the public, authorities said.

Mrs Ainsworth said: “They started by cutting down the Yukka trees at the top of the hill which was on the flat, behind a retaining wall and was in no danger of causing a landslide. The landslide happened more than halfway down the hill.

“I’d love to know why they were cut down.”

The 76-year-old has slammed the council workers who carried out the work, calling it “decimation”, and wants to know why the public was not consulted despite the plants being in a conservation area.

She said: “Apart from the sheer vandalism we’re told to cut our carbon emissions and trees do just that by absorbing carbon which is surely healthier for the environment.

“We should be growing more trees not cutting them down.

“There was no consultation and the first we knew about it was when the lorries arrived and guys alighted and started making with the chainsaws.

“Instead of trimming the trees to make the cliffside safer, they’ve gleefully chopped them down completely.

“They have been decimated - it is nothing short of a disgrace.”

Mrs Ainsworth walks or cycles down the road almost every day, and enjoys looking at the trees.

She adds that the Yukka trees have become an iconic part of Folkestone, as they have been there for so long.

It is understood Kent County Council (KCC) and Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) have been completing work on separate parcels of land around the landslide site.

The trees being cleared are thought to be dead, dying, diseased or in falling distance of the highway.

FHDC owns some land on the bank and has been carrying out preventative work, while KCC is responsible for other sections.

The district council said letters were sent to neighbours to warn them the work was happening, but added the authority has no requirement to notify the general public.

It also stated that despite it looking “severe”, all the work was undertaken professionally by “tree specialists”.

An FHDC spokesman added: “Our tree specialists are working on the bank above Folkestone’s Road of Remembrance to reduce tree growth and shrubbery, to prevent future landslips and erosion to the bank. The preventative work is on the land owned by Folkestone and Hythe District Council at the top of the road.

“The work that the team is undertaking includes removing all shrub growth, removing sycamore trees and treating stumps to prevent regrowth which encourages the shrub layer to naturally regenerate.

“In addition, the 12 evergreen oak trees are being coppiced to a height that will allow them to regenerate rapidly and form a low hedge. A pine tree is also being removed.

“It is appreciated that the work at this stage may look severe but anyone concerned should be reassured that this work is being undertaken professionally to reduce the weight on the bank whilst maintaining its structure to ensure future public safety.

“The land is within the Folkestone Leas and Bayle Conservation Area. However, there is no requirement for local authorities to notify others of their intention to undertake work in a conservation area.

“A letter was sent to nearby residents, living above and below the Road of Remembrance, before the work starting on February 7 to advise them of the work and that they may hear noise from the machinery being used.”

In a previous statement, a KCC spokesman said: “As the investigation continues the road closure is enabling work due to be carried out this week to reduce the height of trees on the steep bank alongside the road and clear litter.

“Carrying out the work now will avoid the road having to be closed again at a future date.

“KCC was called in the early hours of Saturday, January 27 to clear fallen trees which had been reported to be blocking the road.

“After a team arrived it was discovered the fallen trees appeared to have been caused by a landslip and the removal of the trees had to be halted until further investigation was carried out.

“The road, which links the harbour area with The Leas remains closed to ensure public safety and a diversion is signposted for drivers and those on foot.

“As well as assessing the stability of the bank and surrounding area, contact is also being made with the owners of the land which forms the bank.”

A reopening date for the road is yet to be confirmed.