Powys Council has insisted that it took trees into account when it built a new bus interchange in Welshpool – after a local resident insisted that the Tarmac would prevent water getting to their roots.

Clem Davies, from Llangedwyn, raised the issues regarding the availability of water for trees planted in Church Street car park.

Constructed earlier this year, the interchange incorporates a bus station, car parking, taxi rank and large covered bike shelter, and has seen resurfacing work around trees in the area.

The site was chosen because of its proximity to the town centre, with easy access to the shops, the tourist information centre, toilets, and train station.

However, Mr Davies thinks that the trees planted in the area are struggling to get adequate water due to the amount of Tarmac laid around them.

“The Tarmac has been laid right up to the edge of these trees, leaving no roots exposed and limiting the amount of water that can drain into the ground," he said.

MORE NEWS:

“As we are in the middle of a heat wave, it’s more important than ever for trees and plant life to get the water they need, and my worry is that with this layout the water isn’t getting through, and the trees may already be withering as a result.

“By laying the ground around the trees only with tarmac, as opposed to loose stones or grass, there’s nowhere for the water to go where it can get to the roots of the plant life.

“It’s an example of a council not following their own rules, as I couldn’t restrict the waterflow in the same way without being reprimanded for it.”

But a spokesman for Powys County Council said trees had been taken into account when selecting the type of surface material for the interchange, and that they would be able to access water.

The spokesman said: “The material used around the base of the trees is a KBI Flexipave.

“This resin bound aggregate is combined with recycled rubber chips to boost its sustainability credentials, and is designed to surround trees.

“It is porous, flexible, cold applied and extremely low maintenance. All the tarmac around the area is also porous, which brings additional benefits to the root systems over the previous traditional tarmac.”

Church Street car park was closed for 10 days in May 2022 to accommodate the resurfacing works.