PROTESTERS who battled to protect Walsall trees from being chopped down as part of a bus scheme have welcomed news they are to be saved.

Birmingham Road resident Val Dodds said she was pleased a campaign, which lasted more than 18 months and saw regular protests in all weathers, had paid off following news Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) had revised its plans.

But she added they would only be relaxed once they’d seen the plans for themselves and were reassured all the trees on The Green would be kept.

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Last month, TfWM put forward fresh proposals for Phase Two of the scheme which will see the planned lane reduced in length to retain the trees next to the junction with Springvale Avenue.

They added Phase One – completed last summer – has resulted in average bus journey times between Walsall and Birmingham have been cut by six minutes as priority measures allow for them to bypass traffic jams on the busy route.

Val said: “Residents haven’t seen the plans yet but an announcement states that our trees are saved. It would seem we did it!

“We drew attention to the original plans. Made it clear residents didn’t want the trees felled and, without any initial support  from our representatives,  kept our opposition going for 19 months.

“The only doubt is the reference to ‘trees near Springvale Ave.’  being safe. We need to know ALL the trees are safe.”

Forestry Journal: Dozens of residents and councillors turned out in force to protest against a proposed new bus lane that will result in the loss of trees on Birmingham RoadDozens of residents and councillors turned out in force to protest against a proposed new bus lane that will result in the loss of trees on Birmingham Road (Image: LDR)

She added once they are satisfied the trees are safe, then they would hold a celebration event.

Following the announcement Councillor Mike Bird, WMCA portfolio lead for transport and leader of Walsall Council said: “The residents on Birmingham Road wanted us to look again at the proposals and we listened.

“Now they can rest assured that these trees on the Green will stay. Now we can get on with the work of delivering Bus Sprint and look forward to offering the people of Walsall direct, affordable and reliable bus services to key destinations like Birmingham Airport, the NEC and Solihull.”