RESIDENTS have been stumped after a 200-year-old tree was felled in Newbrough without warning.

People living in the area say they weren’t consulted before workmen turned up with chainsaws.

The Beaumont family, of Newbrough Hall, hired contractors to remove the mature poplar, which stood on their land overhanging the main Stanegate road, opposite Sidgate.

But the family claim they were ordered to take action by Northumberland County Council because the roots of the tree were raising the pavement.

And a group of vocal residents, including local artist Enrique Azocar, have blamed the local authority for not seeking public opinion on possible alternative solutions.

Mr Azocar said: “This was a beautiful tree, which was healthy, and was part of a long line of trees along the street.

“We didn’t know anything about this until we heard the sound of machinery on Thursday morning.

“If we knew, we would have chained ourselves to it. We would have tried to stop this.

“The footpath is still passable, but we would have been more than willing to work with the local authority to find an alternative solution to chopping down the tree. Perhaps the footpath could have been re-routed.

“We’re not blaming the Beaumont family. They were put in a difficult position because they were told the tree had to go.”

Mark Beaumont, of Newbrough Hall, said: “The county council served a notice for the tree’s removal, and said that if we didn’t take action, it would do it and send us the bill.

“It initially wanted us to remove all the trees along the roadside here, but it back-tracked on that.”

His wife, Diana, said: “It’s such a shame when you consider that this great tree survived world wars, and appeared to be healthy after all those years, that it has come to this.”

Rev. Stephen Pedley, the retired Bishop of Lancaster, who lives nearby, said: “The tree was cut down on the authority and by order of the county council on the grounds that by lifting a piece of pavement to the Stanegate it was endangering health and safety.

“A metre or two of pavement is indeed raised and impaired. It does indeed require attention. But to destroy a poplar tree in the prime of its life is a terrible cost.”

Northumberland County Council said the pavement had been re-shaped to accommodate three of the trees along Stanegate, but it was not possible this time, because of significant damage to the footpath.

A spokesman said: “The council fully appreciates the significance of and the affection for mature trees like this, and would not have asked for its removal without robust justification.

“This is an important path for families travelling to and from the local school, as well as for other local residents, and this was the only option available to the council in order to maintain a safe pedestrian route.”