In a statement Mayor Boris Johnson said the 5,000 trees already planted under the programme had made London streets “leafier, more pleasant places to live in”, adding: “It is superb news that we are firmly on track, and actually ahead of schedule, to meet my target of 10,000 new street trees by 2012.”
Meanwhile the London Assembly is to investigate the number and condition of London’s trees, three years after an Assembly Environment Committee report found that “unwarranted” claims of subsidence had led to 2,000 trees being cut down.
Committee Chair Darren Johnson AM said: “Our 2007 report highlighted the obvious environmental and aesthetic benefits of street trees. We now want to find out what action has been taken since our report and, in the face of government cuts, whether positive moves to increase and protect street trees will have a lasting effect.”
