Tree-felling next to a railway line has caused uproar among residents.

The work, near Woodham Farm, Kings Worthy, near Winchester, has angered people, who say it will ruin the backdrop to the village and expose them to more noise.

Network Rail is cutting down the trees on the embankment as part of routine track maintenance and for safety reasons.

Sylvie Derrick says she and fellow residents are upset at the lack of notice and the impact the felling will have on the appearance of the village. She said:"I think many of us would have tried to prevent it if we had known. A little felling wouldn't do any harm. There is pruning trees and there is hacking them down - there is a difference."

Parish councillor, Graham Hutton, agrees: " I think the lack of consultation it's absolutely deplorable. The first we heard about it was in a council consultation meeting. The trees do make a reasonable backdrop to the village and the impact will be considerable." he said.

"Of course we understand the safety issue but we want them to at least leave some trees to shield the village. If they could just leave the roots so the trees can grow back in the future, there would be some hope, but to slaughter the lot is unacceptable." Mr Hutton said.

City council planning officer, John Hearn, said: "We cannot put tree preservation orders on the land as Network Rail are the statutory undertaker and they do have a right to cut down the trees.

"They are supposed to consult the council. They do in some instances and not in others. We can only give advice. They consider safety and operational matters but we want them to consider ecological, environmental and community issues."

A Network Rail spokesman said: This is part of our clearance programme. We have liaised with the council and leaflets will usually notify people, who are directly affected - if their gardens or houses back on to the line.

"We take our environmental responsibilities seriously but safety must come first. These are low branches and foliage impairing train drivers' view of signals and the sight of oncoming trains for trackworkers.

"Trees falling could cause a train accident. Falling leaves can prevent a train registering in the signal box by forming a seal between the wheels and the rail. Leaves can also causes loss of grip,resulting in wheelspin and severe delays.

"The railway tries to be a good neighbour but, on occasions, severe preventative measures are needed to deliver a safe and reliable rail network."

Winchester MP, Mark Oaten, said he was planning to table questions to Parliament regarding Network Rail's power to cut trees down.

"They're a law unto themselves. They don't have to consult with the local authority or local residents. Clearly, leaves on the line are difficult, but trees provide an important physical barrier. While leaves on the line are important, I don't believe Network Rail should have this power to cut back trees without consulting communities or tree specialists. Trees provide a visual barrier to the rail network but also a noise barrier." he said.