Here's why the trees at Hampden Park have been cut down as residents hit out

Shrubs, bushes and trees in an embankment adjacent to the stadium’s car park were due to be maintained by the Scottish Football Association (SFA), who owns the ground.

But the residents claim they were told the area would only receive a “tidy-up”.

In a letter to the community seen by The Glasgow Times, the SFA said the works included the “removal of overgrown bushes and shrubs, healthy trees to be shaped, diseased trees to be removed, items which have been fly-tipped and litter will be removed.”

However, residents claimed the trees had been “decimated” and most of the area cleared of greenery on Thursday, leaving properties “exposed” to the stadium. 

The green area adjacent the Hampden stadium car park, in Glasgow, before the works

Pictures snapped by residents show the area during the works

The area after last Thursday's works

When contacted, the SFA said the works had been carried out after community consultation, for safety and security reasons. 

A resident who wished not to be named said that, while the SFA did warn the local community and gave an opportunity for feedback, the result was not what was expected.

They added that a neighbour had sent a collective response and met with the groundsman to gather more details about what they believed to be “tidy up” work.

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They told the Glasgow Times: “We were happy that it was being tidied up as we look out onto the tree and grass embankment at Norfield Drive. 

“We did not however expect the trees to be decimated at the hill. 

“I'm at the opposite end of Norfield Drive but I feel for my neighbour at the other end whose garden has now been left open.”

“There was a little wildlife haven here in the centre of Mount Florida. We had various birds including siskins, tits, apparently an owl, foxes, bats and an occasional toad,” the resident added. 

“We understand that there were security and maintenance issues, especially on match days and understand why the shrubs and bushes were removed.

“However I don't understand why all the trees on the hill have been felled.”

Residents say the trees helped to conceal the stadium

Another resident who wished to remain anonymous said: “It’s outrageous that they cut down every tree while telling residents in Mount Annan Drive that it was a trim and tidy up.”

A third resident said: “The removal of the trees is making the stadium a lot more imposing. 

“In the spring and summer when the trees had leaves, you could barely see the stadium at all.”

A resident's view of Hampden Park, before and after the works

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A Scottish FA spokesperson said: “A number of trees were recently removed from the grounds at Hampden Park following advice from experts that they provided a risk to public health and safety due to disease. 

“The removal of the trees is also designed to help eliminate incidents of anti-social behaviour that had been occurring under their cover. 

“All residents directly impacted by the removal were consulted in advance, with positive feedback on the proposals received from those consulted.”

In their letter to the community, the SFA had said a hawthorn hedge will be planted along Norfield Drive, to provide greenery and space for nesting birds.