This is an issue with which I was closely concerned in the period that I was councillor for Addiscombe West,  and both for that reason and also that I am ECCO’s Clean and Green Street Champion,  I wish to assist in bringing the issue to a speedy and successful outcome.

In September 2019,  I walked Oval Road with the then Council’s Trees Officer,  Helen Lomasney,  and a Highways Officer and a Forestry Officer,  and the outcome of that was that 47 locations were identified for tree-planting in Oval Road.    Funding was available in 2020-21 for the planting,  but the publication of the Council’s first s.114 Notice in September 2020 necessitated that all non-essential spending was summarily suspended.

Helen Lomasney was as committed to the project as local councillors and many local residents.    The Greater London Authority (GLA) had obtained a tranche of money from the Forestry Commission for tree-planting,  funding which was matched by the GLA.   The GLA then invited bids from London boroughs.  Helen prepared a bid which included the funding for Oval Road.   Originally it was hoped that the funding would come through for the 2021-22 financial year,  but the process was long and tiresome,  and although we knew we had been successful at the beginning of 2022,  the money was not signed off by City Hall until May.

On 25 November,  I submitted a public question for the Council meeting on 14 December as follows:

“Following a successful bid to the Forestry Commission’s Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF), the GLA is funding the planting of 47 trees in Oval Road during the 2022- 23 planting season (to be planted by 31st March 2023). The UTCF has also provided funding for establishment costs (watering and maintenance) over three years. Please confirm that 47 trees will be planted in Oval Road by 31 March 2023.”

Councillor Roche,  who is the Croydon Cabinet member for the Environment, provided the following written reply:

“We welcome this additional external funding to support tree planting in Oval Road. I can confirm that the Council’ Trees and Woodlands Officer is currently working with highway officers and our contractors to install tree pits by the end of February. This will enable us to plant all 47 trees in Oval Road by the end of 31 of March 2023.”

I shall be writing again to Cllr Roche suggesting that there be a tree-planting ceremony attended by the Mayor which residents can attend.

I hope the trees bring some joy to those living in Oval Road and walking along it.   No doubt there will be residents who only perceive disadvantages from the planting,  but for future residents the gain will considerably exceed any pain.

Jerry Fitzpatrick
ECCO Clean and Green Street Champion