WHAT a surprise that Network Rail were already well into the night-time felling of trees on the Wilpshire railway embankment before they paid their courtesy call to some of the residents of nearby properties.

They must have been concerned that Wilpshire residents could have halted or reduced the destruction of this beautiful sanctuary for wildlife.

In the 10 years I have lived alongside the rail line I have had fox, deer and pheasant visit my garden as they passed along the embankment. A wide variety of birds also nested and visited this diverse woodland.

Alas there will be no more, as both sides of the embankment are being totally stripped of all trees and vegetation.

Network Rail has admitted to removing a hundred or so trees (LET, December 19), but the real number is thousands of trees and saplings.

Some residents have received a belated letter from Network Rail explaining that only some of the trees would be felled.

Their Manchester office now admits that the letter was not only late, but wrong as well!

TERRY LONGDEN, Whalley Road, Wilpshire.