An Isle of Wight councillor took to social media to share his fury when historic trees were ripped up and the holes they were in were covered with Tarmac – but Island Roads says the East Cowes changes are only temporary.

Part of East Cowes’ Histree Trail, the York Avenue trees were removed in December.

Island Roads said they were ‘diseased’.

East Cowes councillor, Karl Love, said the decision to remove them was made without discussion with him.

Isle of Wight County Press: East Cowes' York AvenueEast Cowes' York Avenue (Image: IWCP)

Isle of Wight County Press: York Avenue, East CowesYork Avenue, East Cowes (Image: IWCP)

On Facebook, he said: “What are Island Roads playing at?

“I’m not having this behaviour from them, removing trees which matter to our town’s environment and heritage value.

“When they remove trees because they are deceased or dying, I expect them to be replaced, as is the agreement, with like for like and in the same position.

“They can’t tell me this is just a temporary measure when they are filled with expensive Tarmac, which would cost more than the tree itself when they could so easily have popped a new tree back in.”

An Island Roads spokesperson said: “We will be replacing these trees in the New Year.

“The previous trees were removed because they were diseased, and the hole left behind was filled in temporarily for safety reasons.”

The contractor insisted it was standard practice.

Isle of Wight County Press: The Umbrella Tree in East CowesThe Umbrella Tree in East Cowes (Image: IWCP)

Planting season is typically in the autumn and the type of tree removed will be matched to the one that replaces it, where it is possible to do so, it said.

Cllr Love said: “I’m determined the heritage value of East Cowes is maintained and that this line of trees should be replaced when they need doing so and in the same locality.”

East Cowes's Parks and Parasols Histree Trail starts further along York Avenue, underneath The Umbrella Tree.

Planted over 100 years ago by Queen Victoria’s roads manager, that tree is currently barricaded by fencing because Island Roads says it too is diseased. Members of the community have taken responsibility for it and a project is underway to create more slightly support for its much-loved branches.