Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Stamford, has provided an update on tree felling on Brooke Road in Oakham.

Last month, the council said the trees were being removed to "allow the developer Burmor Construction Limited to improve the surrounding highway layout as part of the Brooke Road Allotments Development".

In a newsletter, Alicia Kearns MP wrote: "I have been liaising regularly with the Environment Agency (EA), who assured me any work next to, or in, the brook has been undertaken with in line with the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 and any damage caused is repaired.

"Those trees removed were in fact increasing the flood risk to the community. The Brooke Road Allotments Development will see more than a dozen new trees planted on site, to make up for any loss of existing trees during construction.

"I have also contacted the Council for reassurances residents are seeking that sufficient notice was provided to residents. The Council states they are in line with their statutory responsibilities for making a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order, including placing a notice in the Rutland Times on 20th June and again on 11thJuly.

"In the interests of safety for pedestrians and the workforce on site, the Council and Burmor Construction Ltd have deemed it necessary to suspend both foot and vehicle travel over the level crossing to reduce the risk of a serious accident."