Protesters occupying 600-year-old oak to save it from being cut down

By SWNS staff reporter

Protesters in the UK are occupying a 600-year-old oak tree to prevent it from being cut down - to build a $300m road.

The group has surrounded and scaled the tree - which now stands alone - surrounded by flattened building works.

The work started in September 2021 on a $300M scheme to dual the A303 between the Podimore and Sparkford roundabouts in Somerset.

It followed approval by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps MP.

As part of the approved scheme put forward by National Highways, the elderly oak tree near the Sparkford roundabout will be cut down.

It will make room for a new slip road connecting the new dual carriageway to the nearby Hazlegrove Prep School.

But protestors now in its branches want National Highways to move the slip road.

One of the main protesters has posted numerous updates to his Twitter feed since the protest began.

He said: ''This tree's stood watch over this land for 600 years.

''National Highways has deliberately misrepresented its age and size in order to avoid its legal obligations.

"Those here are all willing to get arrested by resisting non-violently."

The protest has attracted the support of activist group Extinction Rebellion and TV presenter Chris Packham.

Packham tweeted: ''This is a magnificent tree. It’s beautiful. It’s important, precious, a treasure.

"It needs to be cherished. Please National Highways, rethink this. It will never be replaced."

The protestors made an appeal to the High Court to secure the tree's future but have proved unsuccessful.

One had to be taken to hospital by paramedics after suffering a wasp sting and going into anaphylactic shock.

National Highways stated that their own assessment of the oak had estimated it to be "around 400-450 years old," and that it was not subject to any form of protection order.

Moving the slip road was considered during the planning process, but officers this would have resulted in the scheme being "severely delayed" and attempts to move the tree were not viable.

The agency - formerly known as Highways England - said it was committed to planting new trees to prevent biodiversity from being lost from the A303 scheme, and that removing the tree was always "a last resort."

A spokesman said: "We respect the right to protest and will work with police and all relevant authorities, and those protesting, to ensure everyone is safe.

"We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously and are one of the largest tree planting organizations in the UK, with plans to plant an extra 3 million trees by 2030.

''We only cut back or fell trees where it is essential to keep people safe, protect the environment or where it is necessary to allow us to improve journeys.''