A LYMPSTONE resident is disgusted with the county council after construction workers tasked with developing the cycle path got a vehicle stuck and destroyed a tree in The Avenue. David Tyrell, of Longmeadow Road, said he was dismayed with the whole issue

A LYMPSTONE resident is disgusted with the county council after construction workers tasked with developing the cycle path got a vehicle stuck and destroyed a tree in The Avenue.

David Tyrell, of Longmeadow Road, said he was dismayed with the whole issue of the cycle path after the recent damage.

A delivery truck got caught on a tree at the end of The Avenue during works to install the 22 metre Belevdere footbridge and ramp to Lympstone Station car park.

Mr Tyrell, speaking at a parish council meeting held on Monday, April 12, said: "I'm pretty dismayed at the whole issue of this cycle track.

"Devon County Council seem to have come into our village like bulls in a china shop and destroyed environmental areas, namely The Avenue.

"The excuse that a lorry got stuck against it - that goes back to the officer in charge of the operation. You can't start a job with the thinking that everything in my way has to be smashed down.

"It is negligence. I have my own business and before I start a job I have to plan the work I am about to do, so why doesn't this apply to the county council?

"With a bit more fore thought and effort, they could have involved local people with more knowledge to find out the environmental impact before they started."

A spokesperson for Devon County Council said it was decided to fell the tree after numerous attempts to free the trailer failed.

"The removal of the tree prevented any delay and the works extending into a third night, incurring further expense and causing additional disruption to the local residents," the spokesperson added.

"The contractor immediately contacted the parish council and subsequently the landowner the National Trust, to apologise for the incident.

"Devon County Council has sourced three replacement trees of the same species to be planted as soon as possible.

"The council regret the loss of the tree during what was otherwise an extremely successful operation to complete the works effectively and efficiently.