Residents have been shocked by the number of trees chopped down beside the tracks near Hornbeam Park railway station, according to a local councillor.
Network Rail recently carried out the works, which it said was essential for trains to run safely and reliably.
Trees up to 6.5 metres tall were removed and larger trees that could have fallen onto the tracks have been cut back or removed.
John Ennis, the Conservative councillor for Harrogate Stray, said local people had been “taken aback” by the scale of pruning and has complained to Network Rail.
He wrote on Community News website, a website run by Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones:
“As well as vegetation clearance, we have seen the removal of some mature trees in apparent good health. This has been quite a traumatic experience for those living nearby.
“I would for instance have preferred to see fencing used, which was more appropriate to a mature residential area. I will continue to raise these issues with Network Rail as necessary.”
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In January, Network Rail submitted a planning application to Harrogate Borough Council about the works, which included photos of which trees it planned to remove or prune within the Harrogate Conservation Area.
The company said an independent ecologist had provided a risk assessment of the area to look for protected species.
It said some mature trees had to be removed to protect the tracks.
Richard Owens, infrastructure director for Network Rail’s north and east route, told the Stray Ferret:
“We know how important the trees near Hornbeam Park station are for people in the community. Network Rail has completed essential work to remove and cut back some of the vegetation with measures in place to protect the environment.
“Work also took place to allow natural saplings and flowers to flourish. Network Rail sent information to people who live near the railway and to local stakeholders with more details about the work.
“Some of the mature trees had to be removed to allow train services to continue running safely and reliably, and so our teams can safely carry out railway maintenance work.
“Trees can obstruct signals or get blown onto the tracks and leaves can also affect acceleration and braking when they fall onto the railway in the Autumn. This work will help to prevent future disruption to services.”
