WE all know that a major way of dealing with global warming is to at least counteract the production of carbon dioxide, which is probably the most common greenhouse gas.

The most efficient way to do this is by planting more trees and hedgerows.

Of course, all of the major political parties have promised to do this.

However, as fast if not faster than they can do this, nationally, builders and developers are grubbing out thousands of miles of hedgerows with their associated trees.

A prime example of this is Nerrols Drive here in Taunton.

I accept that sometimes on the planning applications, conditions are set that any hedges removed must be replaced.

Regrettably, all too often those conditions do not seem to be monitored or enforced.

Now, I believe it takes up to 15 years for a new hedge to become established and effective and several decades for a tree to become effective.

Consequently, any of these conditions are ineffective for a considerable number of years.

Because this situation is chiefly in the countryside on the edge of town, it has a further disadvantage in that it is pushing more and more of our wildlife into extinction.

Please can our planning department and councillors wake up and find a solution.

R WALKER
Taunton