COLCHESTER’s green wall which has been a feature on a busy road for 40 years... has been ripped down.

The retaining wall next to the dual-carriageway on Balkerne Hill is now no longer green after Essex Highways workers removed the creepers which decorated it.

Work began on Monday to cut down the greenery and was all-but-complete yesterday.

The removal has been criticised by Colchester’s High Steward and ex MP, Sir Bob Russell, who said the planting of creepers along the reserved area of ground at the top of the wall had been a deliberate decision in the 1980s.

He said: “Long before greening our urban areas became something environmentalists today campaign for, here in Colchester the Borough Council was a pioneer.

Read more: Will Quince filmed singing 'I’ve had the time of my life' with fellow MP amid benefit cuts

“It led the way with its planting of creepers to hang down the sheer height of the wall to help camouflage its stark appearance.

“We keep on hearing Essex County Council talk about a greener lifestyle, but they have destroyed a very visual area of greenery which was not only attractive but it also had the advantage of helping to absorb exhaust fumes.

“These creepers had been rooted here for 40 years - they were well established and there has now been a destruction of habitat.

“All that was required was an annual trim whenever they got near the level of passing vehicles.

“I am not aware of the greenery on the wall causing and road safety issues, nor damage to the walls.”

Sir Bob continued: “However, as I observed, it looks as if there has been a determined effort to clear the ground of the roots.

“Even the creepers which were on fences at the rear of gardens of dwellings on Balkerne Heights have been stripped back leaving exposed fences.

“We are now left with a very high retaining wall, somewhat featureless, which is a visual eyesore where once there was greenery.”

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “Removal of the overhanging vegetation on the retaining wall was necessary as a routine inspection of the wall will shortly be taking place and in order for this routine inspection to be thoroughly completed, the vegetation covering the wall needed to be removed.”