Darwin Oak, Shrewsbury
by Rob Mcbride, @thetreehunter and founder of Treespect CIC
Little did my Mum guess as she held me in her arms, looking out from the Royal Salop Infirmary over the River Severn towards the 11C Shrewsbury Abbey that, decades later, I would be helping campaigners trying to save a vital green-lung of Shrewsbury from being decimated and lost forever.
Scheduled to be destroyed or be adversely affected by the 4-mile (6.4km) section of road - including a 668-metre concrete flyover across the River Severn - are over 2.5 miles (4km) of hedgerows, an internationally renowned wetland and hundreds of trees. These include 30 veteran trees that I surveyed in 2010 and a 550-year-old ancient oak tree known as the Darwin Oak.
Darwin Oak
Like Charles Darwin, I, too, was born in the medieval county town of Shrewsbury. However, unlike Darwin, I did not live close to Shelton Rough, Bicton, an area of Shrewsbury now under threat of devastation and destruction from an £87 million (and unlimited overspend) proposed road scheme. A scheme with a 20thcentury, pandemic ignoring mindset. One that seeks to destroy the last green wedge of the town's countryside.
There is little doubt that the pandemic has changed the demand and need for such environmentally damaging road schemes. Our neighbours to the south of Shropshire, Herefordshire Council has recently announced they have scrapped their plans for a proposed city bypass of Hereford.
In mental health awareness week 2021, the loss of such life-enhancing green spaces cannot be overemphasised. On my walks, over the years across this elevated and tranquil landscape on the edge of Shrewsbury, I have met many residents of Harlescott reaping the benefits of easy access, close-by green space. People who were claiming a few minutes or hours away from the demands of everyday life.
In an unprecedented wave of complaints to the unaffordable and destructive road plans, objections on Shropshire Councils planning portal have reached nearly 3,000. Campaigners are confident they may finally total closer to 4,000.
That is, 3000-4000 people thinking the same way as I do. That we must protect such valuable habitats and countryside for future generations as we face a climate emergency. Alternative, sustainable and environmentally friendly transport solutions must now be considered as a matter of urgency. The much reported bus cuts in 2019 seem now to be ludicrous.
The Ancient Tree Forum has strongly objected to the road scheme.
'on the grounds that it will result in an unacceptable loss of and or deterioration to an ancient tree T58, (the Darwin Oak) at least seven other veteran trees, and many mature and notable trees…. contrary to government policy NPPF para 175c…. Planting even many thousands of young trees is not an adequate substitute.
‘Darwin Oak’ Drawing by Charles L’ Heureux, Canadian Artist
But the tide is turning. Tory councillors that have sat on both the Town Council and Shropshire Council were defeated in the recent local elections.. The Shropshire Star reported the results saying… It's been a great day for the Greens and a bad one for the Conservatives.
So, like Herefordshire, we may come to our senses just in the nick of time. If not, then I, for one, will do all I can to fight for the special Salop countryside around Shrewsbury, and especially for the unique treescape of this part of the town.
#SaveDarwinOak #No2NorthWestRoad
Rob Mcbride
