A dead tree has been identified at a beloved town landmark set for improvement works by the local council. 

Marlow Town Council proposed a series of changes, estimated to cost around £15,000, to The Causeway area last month, where experts recently identified a diseased Robinia tree in need of being felled.

Felling works are due to begin on April 4, with a reserve date of April 14.

The survey was commissioned by Buckinghamshire Council as part of a routine inspection of Marlow Town Council-owned trees and is separate from the proposed Causeway alterations.

Mayor Richard Scott said: “No work on The Causeway Project will be started until the Council has considered the responses from the consultation, which completes on March 31.”

The Town Council announced plans to renovate the town’s landmark area on February 20, with the mission statement of creating a place that “serves the community better”.

Plans include resurfacing and re-levelling grassy areas, replacing and repositioning the current flagpole with an alternative that presents less of a safety hazard and is able to fly two flags, and trimming trees to lift low-hanging branches.

The benches situated on The Causeway will also be turned inwards to face the war memorial, rather than outwards and facing traffic.

The Council assured residents that would not be a significant visual change to the area but should enable the town to make better use of the spot, which is popular within the community and is used by the local market to house stalls.

The Mayor said at the time of the announcement: “The area around The Causeway has had the same configuration for many years, however there are not many seating areas, spreading tree branches use up space and flagpole guy ropes extend over a large area, creating a tripping hazard and limiting walking space.

“We would like to create more space for people to reflect on the war memorial, enjoy the Frohman statue and take shade under the trees.”

Residents in Marlow expressed opposition to the plans upon their unveiling, with some people saying the improvements would cause more harm than good.

Brian Johnson said: “I believe the proposals are a waste of public money and there are much better causes. Maybe we need a ‘Be careful’ sign, saying ‘This is a flagpole and has risks associated’. We do not want the disruption and loss of amenities, no matter how short the period of loss is.”

Jo Burden shared similar sentiments, saying: “Please leave The Causeway alone, it’s a pretty, natural little open place, perfectly suited to the Marlow market and to people enjoying a drink in the summer. It’s the High Street pavement that badly needs attention!”

Residents are encouraged to send their thoughts on the proposed changes to office@marlow-tc.gov.uk by Friday, March 31.