12 Apr, 2024 @ 13:06
1 min read

EXCLUSIVE: Outrage in expat haven near Benidorm after council cuts down ‘tens of mature trees’ because they were ‘making bumps in a cycle path’ – despite ‘most cyclists using the main road anyway’

EXPATS and locals are fuming after a town hall in Spain cut down tens of mature mulberry trees because they were making bumps in a cycle path.

Workers in the inland town of Polop, near Benidorm, spent weeks chopping down the trees, which provided much-needed shade for walkers.

French expat Sebastien Duclert, 46, told the Olive Press that residents have blasted the ‘stupid’ move, particularly given that ‘most cyclists use the main road anyway.’

He said: “They were mature trees, it’s such a shame. I tried to take it to the town hall but no one ever got back to me.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: British expat faces jail for trimming tree overhanging his property in Spain

Stumps of mature mulberry trees after being cut in Polop
The rows of mulberry trees at risk from being cut by the town hall in Polop

“The cycle path is hardly used by cyclists, most of them go on the main road up to the mountain. It is more used by walkers who enjoyed the shade they provided.

“I don’t understand why it’s not a priority for people to value trees, we need more shade as temperatures get hotter and hotter.”

He added: “All the locals agree that it’s stupid, people in Spain don’t protest enough like we do in France!”

The Olive Press has contacted Polop town hall for comment.

Laurence Dollimore

Laurence Dollimore is a Spanish-speaking, NCTJ-trained journalist with almost a decade’s worth of experience.
The London native has a BA in International Relations from the University of Leeds and and an MA in the same subject from Queen Mary University London.
He earned his gold star diploma in multimedia journalism at the prestigious News Associates in London in 2016, before immediately joining the Olive Press at their offices on the Costa del Sol.
After a five-year stint, Laurence returned to the UK to work as a senior reporter at the Mail Online, where he remained for two years before coming back to the Olive Press as Digital Editor in 2023.
He continues to work for the biggest newspapers in the UK, who hire him to investigate and report on stories in Spain.
These include the Daily Mail, Telegraph, Mail Online, Mail on Sunday and The Sun and Sun Online.
He has broken world exclusives on everything from the Madeleine McCann case to the anti-tourism movement in Tenerife.

GOT A STORY? Contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es or call +34 951 273 575 Twitter: @olivepress

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