Trees To Be Replaced In The Market Place

Work is shortly to commence on a project to replace trees on the northern half of Great Yarmouth Market Place. This follows on from a similar project replacing trees at the southern end a few years ago.

Environmental Services Manager Simon Mutten said “ The existing trees are causing a number of problems, the worst being the lifting of the surrounding surface, creating significant trip hazards for pedestrians, which has required some fencing off to make safe. Some of the trees are also affecting lighting columns and some of the stalls. Our Arboricultural Officer has also advised that the existing trees have exceeded their natural life span in that location, as any remedial works to resolve the uneven surfaces would only result in unstable trees. They will require higher maintenance in future but remain prone to failure and branch shedding in high winds.

“Our intention is to replace the existing trees, which are Acers, with Hornbeam which were used to replace the trees at the southern end of the Market Place a few years ago. These have worked well, will enhance the appearance of the area and should not cause the same problems as the Acers in future.”

Mr Mutten explained that the intention was to fell all the existing trees in one go as this was the most cost-effective way of undertaking the work. Replanting will take place as soon as exploratory work to determine the best positioning for the new trees was complete

Market Manager Duncan Mallett said “The trees have been a pleasant addition in the area breaking up the “landing strip” openness of the Market Place. Unfortunately they have outgrown the location, lifting pavings and making it more difficult to locate Market Stalls and also the Easter Fair rides. The mess left by Pigeons has also made sitting in the area a challenge for shoppers in the Town Centre”  

Work on felling the existing trees is due to take place by the end of February