Council says sorry for 'coming up short'

CITY AUTHORITY CONCEDES MISTAKES WERE MADE IN ARMADA WAY TREE SAGA

- WILLIAM TELFORD

THE chopping down of 100 trees in Plymouth city centre has been called a "traumatic episode" in a major report, and the city's local authority has been told to rebuild trust with the people.

Plymouth City Council has apologised for mistakes it made but insisted it was "not anti-tree", as it published the findings of an "independent learning review" into the events surrounding the tree-felling on Armada Way in March 2023.

A panel of local government experts said the episode left "wounds still to be healed" and has set out a raft of recommendations.

The council has vowed to stick to a comprehensive action plan to improve how it delivers major projects and engages with residents in future.

In the 76-page report, which looks at the entire timeframe of the Armada Way plan, panel members wrote: "There are wounds still to be healed for those individuals most directly impacted. There are pockets of regret, remorse, guilt, blame and defiance. It is important that the council finds a means to rebuild trust, internally and externally."