Worthing trees update: Council does a U-turn and agrees to replace palms

The council said the six cordylines on the promenade, between Seaview Road and Grand Avenue, had to be taken out due to decay.

They had also said the trees would not be replaced but instead a range of ground covering plants would be put into the six square frames.

The Herald posted a story yesterday morning, in which campaigner Julia Horbaschk spoke of the importance of the trees and how they had found fame internationally thanks to her photography project.

A few hours later, Adur & Worthing Councils posted on Facebook to say the cordylines would be replaced after all.

A spokesman for Worthing Borough Council said: “Due to the harsh seafront conditions, a series of large cordylines, which have been in Marine Parade since 2002, were in various states of decline.

“At the start of October, the council’s parks team removed the trees and planted new low-level vegetation which could thrive in an unsheltered seafront location.

“But, after listening to feedback from local people and ward councillors, the council has taken the decision to replant the tall trees.

“The cordylines have been a popular sight on Worthing seafront for close to 20 years, bringing a real coastal feel to the prom.

“Unfortunately, constant exposure to harsh seafront conditions have meant that they have started to deteriorate and die. Our first thought was to remove them and replant the areas with low-level vegetation which would not be damaged by the continual high winds in this unsheltered spot.

“But the public response has been clear that residents value the cordylines. New trees have been ordered and we will look to replace them as soon as we can as part of wider improvements to the promenade.

“We will also continue to regularly monitor their condition to help them thrive in this very challenging climate.

“The parks team is also looking into ways the low-level planting can be reused in other locations of the town.”

Julia, who made a year-long study of the six trees for her project juliahorbaschk.com/Time-for-trees said it was amazing to hear the news the trees would be replaced but added ‘shame they wasted perfectly good ones’.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.