PROTESTERS will take to the trees if Southampton Airport goes ahead with plans to cut down woodland before September.

Extinction Rebellion has a team of tree climbers ready and waiting if the airport fell trees at Marlhill Copse before the bird nesting season ends in just over two months time.

Alongside campaigners, Friends of Marlhill Copse, the group will be monitoring the area in the meantime to ensure no work does go ahead. The campaigners claim that city residents will face misery from increased noise and pollution if the airport expands.

Earlier in the month, the High Court revoked an injunction protecting the woods south of the airport.

Southampton man, Gareth Narbed had been battling against the city airport for months

However, last week a High Court injunction protecting the wooded area to the south of the airport was revoked meaning work can now go ahead.

According to Gareth, the airport has agreed not to start work until bird nesting season is over as to minimise the effects on wildlife.

An airport spokesperson, said: “We respect the right of people to peacefully protest. Our tree management work is crucial to ensure we comply with our legal responsibilities to safeguard the aerodrome. We are working to ensure the work is carried out in the most ecologically sensitive way. We intend to return the copse to the community to be used as a beautiful, healthy green space once the work is completed.”