LEISURE chiefs have launched a staunch defence of work that has been carried out at Davyhulme Park, after it came under fire from Messenger readers.

The work involved cutting what a reader described as 'vast swathes' of shrubs and bushes in the park.

Leisure bosses say this is part of a project to upgrade the park and to enable it to hopefully attain the coveted 'green flag status that is awarded to outstanding parks.

But a reader hit out at what he termed the 'chainsaw massacre' of shrubs in the prized green area.

The reader said: "They have brought out a leaflet proclaiming it’s all part of a masterplan to re-model the park. Trees and quiet arbours attract ne’er-do-wells, they suggest, so it’s best to get rid of the lot.

"It has even been stated that chopping down bushes almost to the roots will eventually attract more birds to nest.

"What a load of rubbish."

The reader called for the council to restore a "valuable resource to its former glory."

Another reader said that "cutting all the shrubs and trees down is simply going to make Davyhulme Park a big field, with no character what so ever."

But leisure bosses insist the park will benefit from the £32,840 revamp.

A spokesperson for the One Trafford Partnership said: "The work undertaken at Davyhulme park was carried out by experienced gardening staff. It forms part of the capital programme to improve the usability of the park. The rhododendrons were overgrown and needed pruning to promote fresh growth and improve visibility.

"Residents can be assured that the plants will be back to their best and in full bud within 12 months, with dense thin branches providing better cover for birds and other wildlife. The reduced shrubbery has also improved safety for residents crossing the park in an evening by opening up the space.

"A small number of trees were also removed as they were in a poor condition due to the lack of light. These have been replaced by six liquid amber trees, planted deeper in the park where they have more space to grow. The park also had a hidden foot path that had become completely over grown and the works included resetting the steps and re-defining this route to make it safe to use.

"The reduction of the rhododendrons has provided an opportunity for the friends of group to apply for future funding to plant in new shrubs to fill gaps where the shading had killed off the original shrubs that were planted alongside.

"We are working with the Friends of Davyhulme Park on a list of suitable species to complement the remaining shrubs that will add new colour and form to the gardens. This will allow for the park to be further improved as we work towards achieving green flag status for Davyhulme Park.”