A WOOD made up of around 700 trees planted by a community could be removed to make way for a new road to ease congestion on York’s outer ring road.

Diamond Jubilee Wood, in Earswick, was planted by children and families in 2012 to celebrate the Queen’s 60-year reign, but City of York Council may need to get rid of it to install a new lane on the A1237 Strensall Road roundabout as part of £38 million improvements.

Members of the parish council, which owns the land, says the authority could take out a compulsory purchase order, forcing them to give up the land and put the new road in place.

Cllr Sian Wiseman, vice chair of Earswick Parish Council, said: “This is an amenity and there is a walk all the way around it.

“We got the trees from the Woodland Trust and they have been nurtured by all the residents, but we were informed last year that the council would be modifying the roundabout on the A1237 which would involve removing some of the trees.

“They are 15ft now and we cannot transfer them.

“It’s an awful shame.”

Councillors also claim the trees act as a barrier to the noise generated by vehicles on Strensall Road and are good for the environment.

Cllr Gill Offler added: “These trees were planted as saplings by local residents six years ago.

“The trees have grown beautifully and there’s hundreds of them.

“It’s such a shame because there’s a lot of talk of pollution and these trees are absorbing a lot of carbon dioxide.”

Julian Sturdy, the MP for York Outer, said he is planning to meet with the council to discuss the plans.

“I was somewhat taken aback to hear that proposals to upgrade the Strensall roundabout will require the removal of all trees from Diamond Jubilee Wood,” he added.

“We all want improvements to the A1237 but this must be done in close consultation with local communities.

“I am holding a meeting with the Earswick parish council and representatives from City of York Council in the coming weeks to discuss this matter, and I hope the wishes of residents are taken on board before detailed design work is undertaken in the spring.”

Tony Clarke, head of highways at City of York Council, said: “New Earswick Parish Council is one of over 30 landowners we’re negotiating with in order to deliver the £38 million improvements to ease congestion on York’s outer ring road.

“Our conversations over the past few months have been really constructive. The compulsory purchase order process would only be progressed as a last resort to deliver the scheme. It has not yet started for the land at Strensall Road.

“We don’t yet have a final design for the roundabout improvements at Strensall Road, as the initial concept is currently being reviewed following discussions with the Parish Council. We hope to have the plans ready soon, after which they’ll be subject to both consultation and a full planning application.

“We are planning to provide a sound barrier similar to the existing arrangement at the roundabout, and will provide replacement tree planting in the area where required.”