Tree to be felled after 'local support' for plan

A 180-year-old tree will be felled this week after "local support" for its removal to allow repair work to take place.

Leeds City Council said the oak, which stands close to Otley Bridge over the River Wharfe, would be cut down on Friday ahead of work to the pedestrian footway.

Charity Otley2030 has spoken against the proposed felling on environmental grounds since it was first mooted before Christmas.

But the local authority has said the only alternative would be to reduce Otley Bridge to single-lane traffic, with three-way temporary traffic lights, for several months.

This would increase the times of some localised journeys to up to 45 minutes, according to the council.

A neighbouring tulip tree is also due to be axed on Friday.

The council has also pledged to plant at least 13 semi-mature trees around Otley to compensate for the loss of the trees.

The authority's deputy leader, Councillor Jonathan Pryor said: "We recognise the strength of feeling around protecting the two trees, and admire the passion and dedication of the groups involved.

"However, the disruption seen since introducing the temporary signals reaffirms our position that the temporary footway is the best solution for the town compared to the only other viable alternative of reducing Otley Bridge to single-lane traffic for around six months.

"This is supported by the vast majority of correspondence I have received in recent weeks, with many residents and businesses expressing their concerns about long-term traffic management measures."

The felling had previously been due to take place at the start of December, but was postponed.

A spokesperson for Otley 2030 said they believed the council had made the process a "divisive issue" for the town.

"There has been public concern about traffic congestion but the reality is that even with the tree felled, there will be traffic disruption over the bridge and in town, until at least June 2025.

"It's disingenuous to say that the majority of locals are in support of the felling - more than 3,800 people signed a petition against it. Otley 2030 has formally requested a meeting with Councillor Pryor to discuss an alternative way forward on several occasions but has been ignored," they added.

The existing footway would then be removed from spring 2025 on completion of the temporary footway, with work lasting 20 weeks.

The replacement permanent footway would be expected to be open in autumn 2025.

All dates are dependent on weather and river conditions, and subject to the condition of the Otley Bridge once the existing footway has been removed.

Clarification 28 Jan 2025: The status of Otley 2030 was amended to clarify the body is a charity not campaign group.

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