TRADERS were alarmed and upset when they saw trees along a city centre street being chopped down this week.

In a letter to the Evening News, concerned shopkeepers said it was a "desecration" of their "lovely leafy city" that seven trees along the King Street car park, on Sidbury, had been felled.

But the city council has said the trees had to go because their roots were breaking up the pavement and pushing against a wall - and promised they will be replaced with a different species during the current city centre revamp.

Andy Walford, the city council's principal engineer for transportation, said there were two main reasons for the development, which will result in an additional 22 car parking spaces by moving the wall along Sidbury closer to the road.

"The current trees break up the surface and cause people to trip up," said Mr Walford.

"They also impede the visibility of CCTV cameras and we are trying to gain Secured Car Park status."

He added that some trees along the King Street section were already pushing parts of the wall over.

"We want to get those trees out so it is safer for people to use and also safer in terms of reducing crime."

Lynda Owen, who runs Floral Roundabout, said she had been "utterly distraught" to see the trees being felled.

But she was pleased to learn that they would be replaced, because Sidbury was reputedly one of the most polluted areas of the city, which made trees all the more necessary.

"Because of the stationary traffic waiting at the traffic lights, the trees help to clean the air," she said. "We need trees for the environment and to keep us healthy."

Rebecca Gardiner, from Charlie's Caf, also on Sidbury, agreed.

"It is nice to be able to look out and see trees," she said. "They also oxygenate the air which is already dirty enough round here. If you clean the windowsill of the upstairs flat, the next day it will be black."