THE timing of drastic preparatory work for the dredging of Bedale Beck has been described as environmental madness.

The heavily overgrown beck, between Bedale Bridge and the weir leading the waters into the harbour, has taken on a stark new look with the removal of all vegetation on both banks, except for established trees.

Locals concerned for the environment have questioned the timing of the work and its possible effect on nesting wildlife, but it has been defended by the town council, which is spending almost £5,000 on the improvement project.

It insisted it was sensitive to wildlife and said thatalthough it might look savage, the work was overdue by almost 30 years.

Mike Hughes, of Scruton, said he was appalled by the extent of the work.

"I agree that the beck needed some attention, but I am appalled that everything has been cut down to ground level, other than major trees. It just seems an indiscriminate action.

"Considering the amount of wildlife that nests there I think it's been done at the wrong time of year. They have just gone over the top."

The town council said the beck had become so heavily silted up that its course had been altered and a public footpath on the southern bank was being undermined.

Coun Ellen Dunning, the Mayor, said she had received positive comments from people and the work would help alleviate flooding, as well as making the town more attractive.

"The work was due to start in December but the contractors could not do it before now. We agreed the work with the contractors and, to get machinery into the beck for dredging, there was little option but to cut back what was there.

"We are only going to the top of the weir and there will be nesting places lower down. We are sensitive to the wildlife but you could hardly see anything because of the state the beck was in."