A resident has claimed newly-planted trees on the A12 are dying because of “lack of care” by Transport for London who planted them.

The trees were planted along the dual carriageway in Harold Hill between the junctions with Tangent Way and Petersfield Avenue/Harold Court Road last Autumn.

Resident David Kinder, of Petersfield Avenue, said: “The tragedy there is they were doing well but due to lack of care and attention they are now dead or dying.

“It is pointless doing things like this if there is no follow-up after. What a waste.”

But Transport for London has defended the scheme and said it does maintain its trees and green infrastructure which includes watering new trees.

A TfL spokesman said: “The exceptionally dry weather that we encountered during the spring has resulted in some issues to a number of new trees across the network because of the low moisture levels in the ground. TfL’s contractor continues to maintain the trees along the A12 and should any fail to thrive this year, they will be replaced during the next planting season.”