Letter from Albano Daminato and Lisa Garris, Today Online 6 Nov 07;
Whither the trees?
SOME people who work or live around Cross Street might be able to attest to a rise in temperatures in the area that began about two weeks ago.
A number of beautiful, tall, shade-providing trees and shrubs were, practically overnight, cut down — all in the name of Land Transport Authority (LTA) works.
When I called the National Parks Board (NParks), I was told that the trees were cut down due to some "important" work being done by the LTA.
Surely, with all of the marvellous work done by the NParks in greening the island, a more sensitive approach could have been taken, instead of cutting large trees so mindlessly.
It would be such a shame if this goes on.
We hope the LTA and NParks can address this issue and give us some answers.
Today Online 8 Nov 07
Where once there was greenery ...
Letter from CARLYN LAW
I refer to the letter "Whither the trees" (Nov 6) by Albano Daminato and Lisa Garris, and I empathise with their sentiments about the fallen trees around Cross Street (picture).
My colleagues and I have been working in an old shophouse in the area for the past four years and loved the area's unique architecture and lush landscape.
To our dismay, the greenery in the area was uprooted in less than two days.
Now the area has clearly become warmer and barren, and devoid of character. We feel extremely saddened by this recent development and fear that more trees will be removed to make way for Land Transport Authority projects.
We ask that more sensitivity be exercised towards urban landscaping in our "green" society.
Trees felled only as a last resort
Today Online 15 Nov 07
Letter from Suhana Kharudin
Manager, Media Relations, Land Transport Authority
We refer to the letters, "Whither the trees" by Albano Daminato and Lisa Garris (Nov 6) and "Where once there was greenery ..." by Carlyn Law (Nov 8), on the trees around Cross Street.
We share the writers' concerns for our greenery and would like to assure them that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) makes every effort to preserve trees. Where possible, trees that have to be cut will be replaced by new ones.
The trees mentioned by the writers are directly affected by the construction of the Downtown Line Cross Street Station.
Prior to felling these trees, the LTA explored whether there was any alternative to their being felled. This is a standard process for all cases of roadside trees affected by development projects.
In this case however, there was no alternative given site constraints at Cross Street.
Work on the underground station has to be conducted within the space of the existing five-lane road. The road had to be diverted to the planting strip to improve safety and enable the continued smooth flow of traffic. There was no other space left in the area to replant the trees and shrubs.
Once construction is completed new trees and shrubs will be planted around Cross Street.
We thank the writers for their feedback.
