• MOST New Journal readers are aware of the beneficial effect of our mature trees in absorbing carbon dioxide and improving our air quality.

But in the already highly polluted area of Euston our trees are to be decimated, primarily by HS2 but also by other imminent council developments. And that’s before HS2’s thousands of HGV movements each day compound the poison in surrounding streets.

In less than 50 days time HS2 Ltd will close to the public both St James Gardens and Euston Square Gardens. In those two locations alone several dozen magnificent mature trees that have served us well for decades are designated for the chop.
We’ve already seen many trees along the Hampstead Road felled by Camden for its infill housing blocks now sprouting up on the edge of the Regent’s Park Estate, built as replacement homes for the council’s flats that will be demolished for HS2. The Zoo’s car park will be the main holding area for up to 70 HGVs at a time and there, the first of many more trees to be felled have already gone.

But there’s even more tree felling in prospect: Camden’s own 25-storey block of millionaire flats by St Pancras will cause dozens of trees in the Purchese Street green space by the Crick Centre to be removed. Then there’s the prospect of a skate park outside Greater London House at Harrington Square, which would take out many more mature trees. All in all this is a crisis both for air quality and our sense of wellbeing.

The closure of St James Gardens immediately after Easter is just the beginning of a catastrophe for Camden. Exactly how are our councillors planning to redress this devastating loss?

PAUL BRAITHWAITE
Bartholomew Villas, NW5