Network Rail has drawn criticism for tree clearance works on approach to Maidenhead Railway Station which have been compared to ‘environmental vandalism’ by a resident.
The company, which manages much of the country’s railway infrastructure, has been cutting back vegetation near to the line between London Paddington and Reading.
But the works have caused upset for some residents living beside the line.
One Taplow resident contacted the Advertiser to complain his home had been left exposed after trees were felled.
Chainsaws were in action again last week, cutting back greenery between Guard’s Club Park by Sounding Arch over the River Thames, and homes in Oldacres.
Oldacres resident Mark Hudson, 64, wrote to the Advertiser this week to say the loss of greenery ‘goes well beyond vegetation management. It looks like environmental vandalism’.
Trees had been cut back to leave Oldacres residences in view of the overlooking bank – and the trains speeding past on one of the busiest railway lines in the country.
Mr Hudson told the paper: “It provides a big shelter for us because we’re very close to the railway.
“It provides a screen for us from the trains, and quite a bit of shade actually, as the railways in the southerly direction.
“Without those trees there we get the full southerly sun – which for some people is quite nice but you now also get a view of all the trains.”
He said Network Rail ‘need to improve their communication because we would probably support them if we understood there was a good reason for it’.
“We can’t see a good reason for it, and they haven’t told us one,” he added.
The retired engineer has lived in the town for more than 25 years and said wildlife used the trees and foliage lining the railway tracks as an important habitat.
“They’re using the railway as a green corridor,” Mr Hudson said.
“That’s become more difficult since they [Network Rail] put a lot more fencing around it; which is fine – I understand why they do that.
“But there’s still a lot of bird life; we’ve seen kites, we’ve seen sparrowhawks actually, and there is a red woodpecker that visits my neighbour’s bird feeder.
“We’ve seen deer moving along the embankment, there’s definitely foxes all over it and loads of squirrels which have lately been invading our garden to take all the fruit.
“I think because their food sources are disappearing on the embankment.”
A Network Rail spokesperson previously said: “Vegetation management is an essential part of running a safe and reliable railway.
“Trees and dense vegetation can pose risks to the operation of the railway, and any clearance work is carried out following an assessment and in line with our safety responsibilities.”
The spokesperson added: “As a publicly funded organisation we must carefully balance the needs of neighbouring residents with our responsibility to operate a safe railway and use public money appropriately.”
The company was approached for further comment.
