More trees for Bath and North East Somerset streets

Communities across Bath and North East Somerset are set to benefit from new trees on local streets to improve the areas and the environment.

Following a public consultation in September to decide precise locations for the trees, Bath & North East Somerset Council will plant more than 150 trees in Bath, Keynsham, Saltford, Peasedown St John, Paulton and Camerton by the end of 2023.

The new trees will contribute to increasing tree canopy cover across the district and help tackle the climate and ecological emergencies.

They will provide a wealth of benefits for people and nature, underpinned by the ‘right tree, right place’ principle.

More than 380 responses were received in the consultation with 67% of people supporting all proposed planting locations. Seven of the 10 sites were supported by 80% of respondents.

The locations for the 154 trees will be:

Bath

• Bear Flat
• Evelyn Road
• Fox Hill
• Old Frome Road
• Southdown Estate
• Third Avenue

North East Somerset

• The Daglands, Camerton
• Coronation Avenue (and surrounding), Keynsham
• Tennis Court Avenue, Paulton
• Orchard Way, Peasedown St John
• Stratton Road, Saltford

The project is funded by the government’s Trees for Climate programme and delivered by the Forest of Avon Trust. The grant will support care of the trees for two years after planting, after which the council will continue regular tree inspections and maintenance.

Councillor David Wood, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “We are committed to playing our part in responding to the climate and ecological emergencies. Increasing the number of trees on our streets will help us all breathe cleaner air, increase biodiversity and make local areas more appealing. Trees also provide much-needed shade and help us manage stormwater by providing absorption for excess rainwater runoff."

“The aim of our tree planting schemes are to increase canopy cover, especially in these particular areas which have below the Forestry Commission’s recommended urban canopy cover of 20%."

“Thank you to everyone who responded to our consultation to help us make sure we get the location of every single new tree right. This will allow the trees to thrive and bring greenery to local areas for decades to come.”

The results of the consultation and the full consultation report can be found here.

Precise locations for the trees can be viewed on this map.