Martin Heywood is annoyed that Hertfordshire County Council has still not replaced several trees which were removed more than a year ago, when a cycle track was built outside Hertswood School.

"They were around five-years-old, and they were well-established. It was criminal to rip them up by the roots.

"They promised to replace them with six new trees 15 or 16 months ago, but they still have not done so," he said.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "The trees were young saplings, and when the track was completed, they were part of a group of four or five that were taken out."

She said the decision had been taken by Hertsmere Borough Council's tree officer, along with an engineer from the county's contractors, Mouchel, who both agreed there were already enough trees in Cowley Hill, and that extra trees could be planted later if required.