NORTH Oxford residents have called on Network Rail to change the location of a noise barrier to save the only trees separating their homes from the A34.

The rail infrastructure firm has been clearing the trees as part of its work to double up the tracks between Wolvercote and Bicester.

It has also been required to install 2.5-metre noise barrier fences to lessen the impact of higher frequency trains on some nearby homes.

But now residents have accused it of destroying mature trees for no reason, amid claims the noise barrier could be moved further down an embankment.

People in Carey Close this month protested against the removal of the trees in a dramatic stand-off with workers, with some refusing to move out of the path of machinery.

Carey Close resident Dr John Efthimiou told the Oxford Mail: “Network Rail has cut down several mature trees along the embankment and it is threatening to cut down more.

“They are claiming it is for a noise barrier but the devastation to local views is terrible.

“A lot of residents are now directly exposed to the A34 carriageway. That has caused huge upset.”

The firm has over the past year negotiated its way through a lengthy planning process due to concerns raised by several people living in North Oxford about noise and vibrations from trains, which some claimed caused damage to homes.

It won permission for its works at Wolvercote earlier this year after presenting measures to Oxford City Council – charged with monitoring noise and vibration for the rail scheme by the Secretary of State for Transport – for reducing the noise.

But Dr Efthimiou said: “We want them to move the construction further down, because there is no need to destroy the natural environment in this way.”

The residents have now written to city council leader Bob Price asking for help.

Network Rail spokesman Julian Burnell said: “Working with the city council, we have made predictions of the noise levels at each section of the line to determine where best to place acoustic barriers.

“That takes into account the topography of that location and the proximity of houses and they produce completely different results for Lakeside and Carey Close. Hence the best placement for the acoustic barriers is also different.

“The positioning of the barrier is as submitted and approved by the city council in July.”