JERICHO residents say they need more information about Network Rail’s proposals for an area behind their homes.

The rail infrastructure provider confirmed it could cut down trees between William Lucy Way and Castle Mill street and use the land for “operational purposes” – though it would not reveal what these were.

Residents feared the felling had already begun over the weekend when Network Rail sent workers to clear vegetation from railway tracks.

William Lucy Way resident Dr Sarah Wookey, 59, said she had been in touch with the firm to try to organise a public meeting about its plans.

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Residents are worried cutting down the trees will remove screening between them and the controversial Castle Mill student flats, as well as taking away the muffling of noise coming from the railway.

But in correspondence seen by the Oxford Mail, a Network Rail representative said that the firm had not yet confirmed enough details of its plans to share with residents.

A meeting could be organised between the firm and residents next month, the representative added, although it is understood there were no firm plans.

Dr Wookey said: “We have become increasingly frustrated and then anxious when we saw evidence of clearing going on over the weekend.

“We couldn’t even get access to the railway area to speak to the people working there, because we would have been trespassing.

“It was not clear whether they were going to be chopping anything down.”

Dr Wookey, a mother-of-four, said she wanted a meeting for herself and other residents to be explained the plans.

She added: “At this stage we just don’t know anything about what their plans are.

“We understand the railway needs upgrading, but we just want to know what the options are for the area behind our homes.”

Network Rail spokeswoman Victoria Bradley said the work over the weekend was to clear vegetation, and not the project the residents were discussing.

She said: “De-vegetation work taking place at the moment is not related to this project, it is track de-vegetation work.”

Ms Bradley also reiterated a statement from the firm that it would inform residents about its plans when more details emerged.

But Oxford City Council member for North ward James Fry said: “The very least the residents deserve is to be told clearly what Network Rail intends to do.

“It could well be that the residents have nothing to fear.

“But it seems highly unlikely that the people behind a major engineering project such as this has not prepared very detailed plans for the work.”

 

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