Councillor Loakes has replied to the email and has tried to assure me that a contractor has not been selected and that they are taking advice from experts on moving mature trees. My research suggests that only trees that stand alone can be successfully moved. Those in a tight copse will suffer root damage. He also makes great play on returning 1850 sq metres of land to the forest. That equates to less than half a football pitch or about the size of the roundabout. He has also promised to keep in touch. In the interest of fairness and balance I attach his comments. With recent TfL funding the Whipps Cross Roundabout will be redesigned into a T-junction, making it safer for drivers and people who cycle, more accessible for pedestrians and bus passengers and a more attractive place to visit. The redesign of Whipps Cross roundabout will return approximately 1850 m2 of existing highway dedicated land back to the Corporation of London and Epping Forest, increasing accessible open space in this area significantly. We are liaising with the City of London and our urban designers to discuss these landscaping improvements at this present time. We believe this could well be the largest transfer of land back to the Corporation of London of highways designated land in the 50 year history of Waltham Forest, after years and years of pinching land to accommodate decades of car growth, by building more and increased capacity roads. The plans will also modernise the area to help manage the high volume of vehicles using it daily, whilst reducing road collisions (2 serious and 30 slight injury accidents). To do this, the existing green space needs to be altered to accommodate the new junction layout. We will carry out a tree survey and seek specialist arboricultural advice in the relocation of healthy mature trees. They will advise us on what can be moved and the best method of how these can be safely removed and replanted – see example images of the type of methodology that could be used, attached. As of yet, no contractor has been employed to remove any of the trees, and the only work due to take place over the next couple of weeks will relate to trial holes to locate statutory plant, infiltration tests for drainage and soil testing to find out what flowers and trees can be planted. The scheme will see us planting more new trees in this area plus other planting to make the area more attractive as well as to make a feature of the War Memorial which is currently an unused space. Not only will these plants help instil a sense of pride in the area, they will help capture harmful particulates and lower pollution levels. I hope this helps, clarify matters and of course I’ll let you know as and when further developments occur associated with this location, due to your continuing interest if that’s ok? Please continue to share and comment on his reply.