Poplar trees 'must be cut down'

The trees are between 60 and 90 years old

About 30 Poplar trees in Bristol will have to be chopped down, the city council has confirmed.

The trees, on Wells Road in the former Imperial Sports Ground at Knowle, had been the subject of a demonstration by residents to save them.

The council said the Poplars had to be urgently removed and replaced for public safety reasons.

It had commissioned an independent report from specialist arboricultural contractors.

A report by contractors Silvanus Services said: "This group of trees undoubtedly represents a major hazard and an unacceptable risk to both the users of the athletics field [under construction] and the adjacent major trunk roads and pavements/public walkways."

All the trees, which have reached the end of their natural life, will be replaced.