§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the destruction of the memorial avenue of sycamore trees at Bramshott on the A3 Portsmouth road. [31724]
§ Mr. WattsThe trees, planted as a memorial to Canadian service men, were removed in the interest of road safety and the long-term health of the roadside environment. The decision to remove the trees was taken only after extensive consultations with interested parties, including the Canadian high commission.
247WTo ensure that a memorial was retained, new plantations of maple trees imported from Canada have been provided on both sides of the A3 at Bramshott common. All the replacement trees are visible from the trunk road and accessible to the public. Wood from the felled trees is being used to make seats which will be presented to local churches and the national memorial arboretum. A seat will also be placed within the newly planted area.
The need to fell the trees was very much regretted but I hope everyone concerned will agree that the new memorial is an appropriate and fitting commemoration of those Canadians who lost their lives in the two world wars.