More than 400,000 new roadside trees planted under National Highways scheme died within five years

More than 400,000 trees planted as part of a national roadwork scheme have died within five years, figures show.

National Highways carried out nearly 40 big projects across England to compensate for mature trees felled by roadworks. 

But figures obtained by a freedom of information request revealed that an average of 30.4 per cent of the saplings have died across nine projects, The Times reported. 

The government-owned company was only able to provide figures for nine of its 38 big road projects, meaning the number of dead trees is likely higher.

Experts warn Highways England has focused on the number of trees planted, rather than their survival. 

National Highways carried out nearly 40 big projects across England to compensate for mature trees felled by roadworks (file image of mature trees felled). But figures obtained by a freedom of information request revealed that an average of 30.4 per cent of the saplings have died across nine projects, The Times reported

Experts warn Highways England has focused on the number of trees planted, rather than their survival (file image of tree saplings planted by National Highways next to busy road)

At Chowns Mill A45/A6 junction in Northamptonshire, the last of 2,500 saplings were planted under two years ago, and only a quarter are still alive. 

In total, at least 405,000 of 945,000 trees planted since 2018 have died.

Tom Clancy from National Highways said: ‘We take our responsibility to the environment seriously and are exploring ways we can enhance the local landscape.’