Giffnock residents cut up by tree chopping

They had been told by letter that work would be carried out to the trees along the railway line, but residents just expected the trees and bushes to be cut back as has happened periodically over the years.

However, this time the trees have been chopped down and removed completely.

One of the residents in Etive Drive, Giffnock, told the Extra: “We heard the workmen out with chainsaws at about 3am – they do the work at night so the trains can keep running during the day.

“They do it every few years, so it’s something you expect living next to the railway line.

“We thought they’d lob a bit off the trees like they’ve done before, so we were shocked when we found out they were being cut down.

“One of my neighbours who has been here for over 30 years had been watching them. He’d gone out to talk to them but it made no difference. He’s quite distraught about it.”

Residents said they were told that Network Rail has ordered the complete removal of all trees within six metres of the railway line from Williamwood to Muirend – a stretch of roughly two miles.

Network Rail told residents the work was being carried out for safety reasons.

However, residents believe the measures taken have been too extreme.

“Surely they could have been cut back rather than copped down?” said one resident. “I’ve never known a tree to fall on the line here.”

She added: “In the summer when you’re sitting out in the garden, the trees provided a good screen and helped cut down on some of the noise. Now we’re not going to have that.

“We’ve also got the health centre on the other side of the line which isn’t the nicest of buildings, but we’re exposed to that now too.

“And there’s a lot of wildlife, lots of birds that nest in the those trees. That’s all gone now.”