A parish council chairman says the havoc caused by treefall in the snow could have been prevented.

According to Kent County Council, almost 200 trees were felled due to snow damage in Walderslade Woods Road, Chatham, on Friday night.

People were trapped in their cars as the branches toppled on to their windscreen and the long trunks blocked the carriageway.

However, Boxley Parish Council believes more than double the number of trees have been felled, and it could have been prevented.

Chairman of Boxley Parish Council Bob Hinders said: "Our clerk walked along that road Tuesday morning and she counted 496 stumps on the way.

"It's disgraceful, they're on public land.

"They've been so neglected, the snow just made them come down.

"If they had been properly maintained, a lot of them would have already been chopped down, so none of this damage would have happened."

KCC spokesman Thom Morris said: "Trees on Walderslade Woods Road were inspected within the last year, including an inspection in January, and were found to be in good condition.

“The sheer intensity and weight of the snow on Friday night brought the trees down.

"Our highways teams and tree surgeons worked throughout the day and night to have them cleared and the road reopened as soon as possible.

“Due to the heavy snowfall Walderslade Woods was re-inspected on Monday.

“Any further follow-up works will be programmed to be completed within the next fortnight."

But Cllr Hinders said: "That's rubbish, that area hasn't been in good condition for ages.

"The saplings have been allowed to grow, they are spindly and lean over the road.

"We've had lots of letters from residents who are concerned about the trees being dangerous.

"Kent County Council called us last week to say they were going to do some maintenance on the trees.

"Low and behold this happened and we think they've cleared the trees damaged by the snow and done the maintenance all in one.

"Walderslade Woods Road is a busy road - it's the main route in and out of Walderslade. To have it closed in two days is unacceptable."

Kent County Council has said there are no plans to replant the trees.

Mr Morris said: “This is a woodland environment and we will allow the area to regenerate naturally once we have tidied up the aftermath of this freak event.”