Calls for red tape to be slashed to allow more trees on high streets

Labour has been urged to slash red tape to allow more trees to be planted on high streets and other urban areas. Tory MP Aphra Brandreth warned that the planting of trees is being "blocked by counterproductive bureaucracy".

She is calling for the Government to issue guidance or amend the Highways Act, which sets out rules on tree planting near roads. In an essay for the Conservative Environment Network, Ms Brandreth said: "At present, well-meaning legislation designed to protect our roads and surrounding infrastructure is being misinterpreted.

"Its unnecessary complexity has led to sensible planting of greenery being blocked by counterproductive bureaucracy.

"This includes outside of homes, workplaces, and in existing green spaces, with many well-intentioned local authorities adopting overly cautious interpretations of the law."

She said the Highways Act "includes requirements to maintain free-flowing roads that can be, and are often, misinterpreted to block planting surrounding highways and nearby infrastructure".

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