13930/1WESSEX Water says it has disciplined workers responsible for damaging the roots of trees on The Green, despite its assurances to the town council that it would take particular care.

Town councillors last week condemned the "unprofessional" attitude of the utility company in leaving one of the town's favourite spots in "an appalling state" in the run-up to the carnival.

Simon Turner, Kennet District Council's tree officer, has written to Wessex Water condemning their carelessness in ignoring national guidelines on working in areas where there are mature trees growing.

In his letter, Mr Turner says he visited the site on numerous occasions and found the guidelines being openly flouted and "unnecessary damage being caused to trees of high visual amenity" by their roots being severed as trenches for the new water main were being dug.

He said he suspects the crowns of some affected trees will die back over the next few years and wanted assurances from Wessex Water that they would be willing to pay for any remedial tree surgery that was necessary.

Councillors at last week's meeting of the town council's recreation and properties committee were told that Wessex Water had failed to respond to a number of requests from the town council as to when the remedial work to the Green would take place.

A report to last week's meeting said: "The slow progress of this work has resulted in a lack of confidence about the stability of the ground to host the carnival fair at the end of August.

"The town council's agent, Atwell Martin, has been actively chasing Wessex Water for a response to this issue."

Councillors agreed to demand that Wessex Water provide suitable matting to cover the affected areas so that the fair could take place safely.

The work to replace the water main is now complete and Wessex Water has dismantled most of the fencing on the Green, well in time for the Devizes Carnival procession on Saturday, September 4.

But councillors at the meeting said they were anxious about the ploughed up surface of the Green handling the expected influx of floats and other entries for the procession.

Coun Charles Winchcombe said: "The small and large greens have been left in an appalling state. A few years ago, British Gas did some work there. They took up the turf, watered it and put it back. Why couldn't Wessex Water do the same thing?"

Committee chairman Coun Catherine Brown, said: "They have made an atrocity of the Green and must be held to account for it."

Coun John Leighton said the company had acted like a set of cowboys, adding: "They don't seem to have adopted a very professional attitude."

A spokesman for Wessex Water said: "Regrettably there was some damage caused to the trees while work was being carried out on The Green. The individuals concerned, who were well aware of the restrictions in place while working around trees, have received the appropriate disciplinary action.

"The reinstatement of the Green could not take place until tests were carried out on the new sections of pipeline, which required the closure of Nursteed Road. However, the county council highways department did not permit this closure while the A360 was closed for resurfacing.

"This has consequently resulted in a delay in reinstatement."

Simon Fisher, the town council's manager, said: "All I care about at the moment is getting the site back and making it safe for the carnival.

"All the potholes and trip hazards will be sorted out by then. Then, in the autumn, we will re-seed the areas that need attention and send Wessex Water the bill."