Havering Friends of the Earth

More trees please

At a ceremony on 20 January, new trees were planted at Emerson Park station, on the London Overground Liberty Line. Operatives from contractors Homegrown were joined by representatives of Network Rail, Havering Friends of the Earth, ward councillors and local residents.

Further remedial planting is planned, and two oak saplings have been offered for placement somewhere in the local community. Towers School have expressed an interest.

This marks a positive outcome for local residents and campaigners, who were angered by the removal of much trackside greenery between 2022 and 2025. The embankments on either side of the railway line, between Upminster and Romford, act as a wildlife corridor with mature trees, birds, badgers, bats, reptiles and insects.

Protests started early in 2022, when Network Rail began a wholesale felling of trees along the line, not having consulted with residents or any local environmental groups such as HFoE. The outcry against this made Network Rail promise to handle the situation in a more appropriate manner in future, if it wanted to dispose of dead, dangerous or diseased trees.

However, at the beginning of 2025, the sound of chainsaws suddenly echoed once again along the railway. Residents were outraged that seemingly healthy trees, which were in no way near the railway track, were felled at Emerson Park station. They were given confusing information about which trees were to be felled adjoining their houses. When questioned, the contractor blamed Network Rail for the inconsistencies and Network Rail blamed the contractor.

HFoE members joined forces with other local environmental and neighbourhood protest groups, and were supported by MPs Andrew Rosindell and Julia Lopez. After several months of sometimes fraught discussions, we're pleased that a remedial planting scheme has been agreed, and hope that all the existing vegetation that isn't dead, diseased or dangerous will be retained in future years.