8 April 2005
Replanting scheme to start

Cllr Malcolm Cunning says replanting on the Moray Place side of the railway is to start within the next week or so.

The understanding is that Network Rail contractors will be planting some 600 mixed species plants, mainly hedge-like plants such as hawthorn and holly. Glasgow City Aboroculturalist Gerry Gillespie met on site last week with Phil Jones, the Network Rail operative, to discuss and agree the process.

Glasgow Tree Lovers Society will be billed directly for their contribution to that process, Malcolm said.

He also noted that issues to do with litter on the trackside and vegetation encroaching on Moray Place through the railings are still to be dealt with.

28 February 2005
According to Councillor Malcolm Cunning, the situation is as follows:

  • Network Rail and Glasgow City Council (Land Services) have still to schedule a site visit with a view to agreeing a replanting scheme.
  • Malcolm has got the Depute Director of Land Services (Scott Rodgers) to write to NR to encourage them to meet with the Council to take the whole issue forward and asked the Head of Parks (Kenneth Boyle) to indicate what plant material the Council currently has.
  • £500 has been secured by GCC to contribute to the purchase of trees. It is not known how much NR will contribute nor, at this stage, what type of trees (scale, species etc) will be planted and when.
  • Further details – who will undertake the work etc – will follow.
  • It is only the Moray Place side that is currently being considered.

Strathbungo Society Chair Kevin Kane has reiterated the point that consultation is expected and it would be useful for the Council and the Society to take the lead on this once a design or planting ideas are agreed by GCC and NR.The planting season extends only to the end March/early April so something must be agreed soon or the opportunity will be lost.

Monday, 24th January
Network Rail reaches agreement with the owner at 22 Moray Place that it will remove the lime tree from her land — with her agreement. (See ””Lone Ranger”” photo in the Strathbungo Today gallery)
Network Rail also confirms its approach to replanting in an email to her. This applies to land owned by Network Rail — not by individuals.
In September Network Rail supplied the Council with a list of species and recommended planting distances. The rail authority is prepared to examine any detailed proposals coming out of discussion on this between Glasgow City Council, the Glasgow Tree Lovers Society and the Strathbungo Society. Any replanting will be done by Network Rail and owned by it.

Monday, 17th January
With Moray Place still closed between Regent Park and Queen Square, workmen move beyond the next (disputed) block and start in the Marywood Square to Vennard Gardens stretch.

Saturday, 15th January
Water main goes boom in Moray Place – coincidentally (?) at the very spot where Network Rail””s huge crane was stationed the last couple of days.

Friday afternoon, 14th January
We understand that owners at 22 Moray Place have informed Network Rail that their title deeds indicate that the lime tree directly across from them is on their property and cannot be removed without their permission. Network Rail have apparently instructed their contractors to leave this tree until ownership is clarified.

Friday morning, 14th January
Network Rail contractors have now moved into Moray Place between Queen Square and Marywood Square, beginning with the chestnut tree at the junction of Queen Square.
Some poor person has had his (her) Escort clamped and lifted. Did residents get notification that work was to begin in their block this morning?

4pm: Thursday, 13th January
All mature trees on the trackside between Regent Park Square and Queen Square are gone.

10am: Thursday, 13th January
Felling has begun on the block between Regent Park Square and Queen Square.

3pm: Wednesday,12th January
The beech tree gone, they have now started on the ash beside it.

9.30am: Wednesday,12th January
Network Rail contractors are back to resume their work. Gale force winds may do the job for them.
4pm: Tuesday, 11th January
Sunset, and as contractors knocked off, the lovely old beech tree that lived for 120 years in Moray Place has been destroyed in a single day.

2.30pm: Tuesday, 11th January
They are back at it … maybe earlier was just a lunch break?
1pm: Tuesday, 11th January
Felling suspended due to gale, thus proving it is indeed an ill wind that blows no good!
9am: Tuesday,11th January
Network Rail contractors moved in early this morning to begin felling what we fear will be 46 of the 49 mature trees that line the Moray Place trackside.
See photos on the Strathbungo Today gallery (at right)
With typical sensitivity, they chose to start with the 120 year old beech tree at the pedestrian footbridge, which local children decorated on Sunday with ribbons, poems, wishes and prayers.
The location of the beech is also causing major chaos with traffic management, as both sections of Moray Place are now cordoned off between Nithsdale Road and Queen Square. (Did no one explain to them that Strathbungo has a one-way system?)
Despite the road closure notices, they have not given residents an indication as to when to move their cars thus a number of cars are still parked in the affected sections of Moray Place.
Apparently even the Royal Mail must bow to the superior authority of Network Rail as they have blocked access to the post distribution box beside the footbridge and this morning the van had to wait for our postman Les to arrive to hand over his bag personally.
MORE NEWS AS IT HAPPENS!