Publication of a highly anticipated inquiry has provided campaigners closure five years on from the string of protests that united Sheffield against the infamous ‘Streets Ahead’ initiative. ShefNews outlines how it all began and what the future holds for those involved.
What is the ‘Streets Ahead’ initiative?
The contract came about after an independent survey into Sheffield’s highway trees found that nearly 10,000 highway trees in Sheffield required remedial attention.
In 2012, the initiative was brought into action after the Council signed a £2.2bn contract with Amey Plc in an attempt to renew Sheffield’s streets, this included the management of the city’s highway trees.
Who are STAG?
Groups opposing the programme sprang into action throughout Sheffield in 2014 eventually developing into Sheffield Tree Action Groups (STAG).
The collective stood against the Council and other authorities in protests that lasted four years, led to multiple arrests and eventually halted the programme.
By the time the controversial ‘Streets Ahead’ initiative was put on hold in 2018 nearly 5,000 trees had been felled across the city.
However, had their campaign not succeeded, the Council and their collaborators were on track to chop down a further 10,000 trees.
What is the Independent Inquiry into the Street Trees Dispute?
The inquiry, conducted by Sir Mark Lowcock, was published earlier this week to provide a truthful and comprehensive account of what happened and why it happened.
The hefty 227 page document revealed the programme was ‘flawed from the moment the contract was signed’.
The report exposed an array of errors and flaws in how the Council handled the situation: ‘stretching the proportionate use of its authority beyond reasonable limits’.
What is the Council’s response?
A statement made on behalf of Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council Kate Josephs, and Leader of Sheffield City Council, Cllr Terry Fox said: “What is clear is that there were some serious errors of judgement, and we apologise unequivocally.”
Ms. Josephs said the authority will be reaching out to all those affected, apologising to ‘every single person’ harmed by the dispute.
Rebecca Hammond, committee member and former co-chair of STAG, said: “I don’t get the feeling that people have learnt the lessons, it still feels like there has to be a significant culture change at the council, and you have to question if that can be achieved with the same senior leaders in place.”
What is the future for STAG?
Ms. Hammond said: “One of the things we are trying to do is enhance street tree coverage throughout the city, so that the whole city gets the benefits, not just the areas that have already got them, not just protecting what we’ve got, but also expanding the urban tree canopy within the city.”
Although the inquiry caused the council to reflect upon how they handled the tree felling, it does not provide full closure, as the ‘Streets Ahead’ contract does not close until 2037.