Newly-planted trees are being left to die, claimed a campaigner who said her 20-year fight to improve the environment has been ignored.

Ingrid Dickenson, who lives in Kohat Road, Wimbledon Park, said new trees planted in the pavements near her road have suffered badly over the summer months because they have not been watered by Merton Council contractors.

Mrs Dickenson said: “I myself struggled up the road with two watering cans to water the tree on the corner of Kohat Road, which clearly looks dead.

"I did the same for the tree in Kingsley Road and hope it survives.”

She has asked Merton Council, under the Freedom of Information Act, how many trees regularly fail.

Between the summer months of May and September, trees planted in pavements are supposed to be watered every two weeks by a contractor.

Mrs Dickenson was told by the council the growth of new trees is monitored by a grounds maintenance officer who provides the ground maintenance contractor with instructions on how to maintain the trees.

A Merton Council spokeswoman said: "The street trees in this area are regularly watered by the councils grounds maintenance contractor and every effort is made to ensure the survival of new trees.

"There are many reasons why trees do not survive and it is unfortunate that sometimes street trees do not become established due to the harsh environment associated with urban planting.

"The council will be looking at ways to improve its tree planting survival rate and is keen to work with residents to help look after our trees.”

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