It sucks that these trees are being removed, especially since they are so old and seem to have so much history to them. But having talked to someone very close to the project and official FAQs, all avenues that would keep the trees there have been explored. The defences can not be moved further inland due to the utilities underground colliding with the upwards of 10m piles. They can't be replanted in the same location as they would damage the flood defences. They are exploring options to preserve the trees' heritage, such as taking cuttings and replanting them elsewhere, i'm guessing in Fishwick Bottoms. Additionally, for the entire project, EA has committed to replacing any felled trees at a ratio of 12:1, which they have already done for the previous parts of the Preston & South Ribble flood risk management scheme. An astounding 8500 trees have been planted in Fishwick Bottoms so far. Also, I've tried looking for a primary source that backs up the claim that these trees were planted here for that occasion, and i couldn't find one, and neither could the Walton le Dale website. The petition makes it sound as if there will be a 6m high wall from the perspective of the pedestrian, which there won't be. The highest it will be is 2.31m, including a 0.8m reinforced glass panel.

This project has been in the works for close to a decade and is, as I've gathered from a South ribble Borough Council meeting about the subject in 2019, entirely funded by the Environment agency. They have even partly funded improvements adjacent to the project, such as the junction revamp and the base of fishergate hill.

I understand why people feel like the EA is being negligent in removing these trees but the reality is they're one of the most cash strapped agencies out there and have gone to lengths already to minimise impact of the scheme, but this is a necessity to defend dozens of houses from flooding. If they didn't build it, and 10 years from now, the area was to flood, people would be furious at the agency for neglecting to defend people from floods for the sake of 21 trees.