Vegetation has been removed from the central reservation of the A505 - prompting concern from members of the public about the effect on wildlife.

The vegetation was removed from the area between the Royston McDonald's roundabout and past the turning to Litlington.

A member of the public commented: "It appears to be appalling environmental destruction leading to the removal of a long-term rookery, badger setts and valuable habitat in an area with very few areas for wildlife."

Hertfordshire County Council carried out the work to improve water drainage, remove dead or dying vegetation and reduce any safety risks to the highway.

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council said: "The drainage channel which runs down the centre reservation from opposite the BP Petrol Station at Lower Coombe to The McDonalds roundabout, Royston (a length of around 2880m) needed to be cleared out and regraded to maintain the flow of water. 

"Some trees and vegetation had to be removed to allow maintenance teams to access the drainage channel, and others were removed from within the channel to remove blockages.

"We also took this opportunity to remove some trees within two metres of the safety barrier to ensure that the barriers could work as intended if an accident did occur, and to allow for both inspection and ongoing maintenance of the barriers."

The trees were inspected before removal, and deemed either dead, dying or presenting a risk due to their proximity to the highway.

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Before the work began contractors checked no wildlife habitats would be disturbed.

The spokesperson added: "The works were programmed out of bird nesting season in line with the national guidance and Wildlife and Courtside Act. . 

"During the removal of the vegetation the contractors remained mindful of any unseen habitation and had banksmen watching the clearance of the ditches for any reptiles that may be living within the ditches.

"To offset removal of vegetation Highways will be replanting the verges to create a more valuable habitat in line with Hertfordshire’s Sustainable Herts Strategy with a combination of hedges, linear woodland and open grass land pasture with a wild flower mix."