It has come to our attention several trees alongside the new Headley Way cycleway are being felled by subcontractors for the City Council.

We are investigating the exact circumstances, but to our knowledge neither City nor County Councillors were informed in advance of this work. Oxford Direct Services have explained their work on Twitter, citing damage to the trees’ roots; however, we are pressing them to publish their assessment and to explain why work was commenced without prior consultation.

City and County Councillor Roz Smith previously campaigned successfully to retain these trees from felling in the course of the County’s ongoing Access to Headington transport upgrades, and will be seeking assurances that any future work of this kind goes before councillors in advance.