A RESTORATION scheme costing £750,000 will start in historic Saltaire early next year which will see an avenue of mature trees removed.

A long-running debate and consultation over improvements to Victoria Road has ended with Bradford Council chiefs deciding to pick an option to repair pavements and install new lights - including illuminating the emblematic lions who guard Victoria Hall and Shipley College's premises opposite.

But it will be at the cost of the trees, a mixture of Horse Chestnut, Copper Beech, Norway Maple and Rowan, which were planted in the 1950s and now have grown to block light from some houses as well as damaging paving stones with their spreading roots.

Some smaller replacement trees will be planted on the right hand side of Victoria Road above the junction with Saltaire Road.

Shipley Councillor Martin Love, who leads the Green Party on the Council, said he was very sad about the loss of the trees, but understood the tough decision.

Of the three options put to residents, most people wanted the total removal of trees and no replacements at all to make pavements safer.

"Because there are only specific places where they can put in new trees due to issues with different underground cables and pipes, only eight trees will be planted alongside Alexandra Square," Cllr Love said.

"We have seen the independent arboricultural report which has shown that several trees are in distressed states and need to be taken out anyway with 90 per cent needing to go within 40 years.

"On a positive note, the new street lighting, pavements and stonework look very good."

Vanessa Pilny, chairman of Saltaire Village Society, said she would have preferred to have kept some of the mature trees, but recognised the decision has now been made.

"Apparently regulations now mean any tree needs a huge pit three metres across, and it's almost impossible to find anywhere that can be done," she said.

"However, people say the lighting looks fantastic and especially plans to light up the lions outside Victoria Hall.

"A lot of the old stone is going to be recycled and it will mean the pavements will be much safer and look better too."

The restoration scheme will see major work carried out to pavements and kerbs, plus new street lighting.

Julian Jackson, Bradford Council's assistant director for planning, transportation and highways, said: "The design team is putting the finishing touches to the scheme for Victoria Road, Saltaire, and we will be making all the details available to the public in early January."

MORE AIRE VALLEY NEWS