PLANS to remove more than 30 trees as part of safety measures for Valley Road, Hughenden, have been criticised by villagers.

The proposals from Buckinghamshire County Council were showcased to the public at an exhibition organised by the Hughenden Residents' Association.

The notorious road has claimed four lives in the past five years.

Liam Logue, 18, became the latest victim less than a month ago after his Metro collided with a Vectra outside Hughenden Manor. Police said the Metro had crossed to the other side of the road.

Dory Morgan, from the Hughenden Residents' Association, organised the exhibition and hopes the concerns raised will be passed on to the council.

She said: "The number of people we had shows there is real concern. There are two issues the need to get a 40mph speed limit as soon as possible and the concerns regarding the trees. We accept that many are dying and need replacing but some are not and that is the worry."

Ian McGowan, team leader for Collision Investigation and Analysis/Local Safety Schemes at the county council, gave a presentation at the exhibition on Monday, July 11, detailing the plans, and answered questions.

As well as the tree removal, most of which are dead or dying, the council proposes to place two islands in the road by the entrance to Hughenden Manor and prevent right turns at the manor junction.

It also proposes a reduction in the speed limit to 50mph in some stretches and 40mph in others.

However the removal of trees was met with great opposition.

Mr McGowan stressed that the council did not blame the trees and that most of those to be removed were because of their potentially dangerous condition.

Calls were also made by residents for a speed camera because they said it would increase general safety.

Mr McGowan said the council would be pushing The Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership to install one.