Trees felled only as a last resortThursday November 15, 2007 Letter from Suhana Kharudin Manager, Media Relations,
Land Transport Authority
We refer to the letters, "Whither the trees" by Albano Daminato and Lisa Garris (Nov 6) and "Where once there was greenery ..." by Carlyn Law (Nov 8), on the trees around Cross Street.
We share the writers' concerns for our greenery and would like to assure them that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) makes every effort to preserve trees. Where possible, trees that have to be cut will be replaced by new ones.
The trees mentioned by the writers are directly affected by the construction of the Downtown Line Cross Street Station.
Prior to felling these trees, the LTA explored whether there was any alternative to their being felled. This is a standard process for all cases of roadside trees affected by development projects.
In this case however, there was no alternative given site constraints at Cross Street.
Work on the underground station has to be conducted within the space of the existing five-lane road. The road had to be diverted to the planting strip to improve safety and enable the continued smooth flow of traffic. There was no other space left in the area to replant the trees and shrubs.
Once construction is completed new trees and shrubs will be planted around Cross Street.
We thank the writers for their feedback.
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