THE felling of trees by railway lines will be raised with Bournemouth's planning board.

Councillor Philip Stanley-Watts, chairman of the council's flood group, told a resident he would raise concerns about the clearances by Network Rail, which have attracted criticism from the RSPB.

Resident Susan Chapman had said: "Please can the advisory group raise questions with Network Rail, now they have removed significant soakaway from the railway lines (in the breeding season), about the future safety of the tracks from mudslides?"

Cllr Stanley-Watts said: "Trees have a valuable role in managing flooding and indeed urban

temperatures and pollution.

"However, they need to be carefully managed because tree roots can damage pipes/road surfaces.

"The council would not wish to dictate Network Rails tree management policy as they are the responsible body and have to take many factors into consideration.

"On a personal issue I shall be raising the subject of what Network Rail have done to their trees at the next planning meeting also as we do have a tree strategy which is very important to the town, many trees within the borough have got a tree preservation order."