Protesters in Edinburgh have secured a last minute halt to the felling of "protected" trees along the Water of Leith.

Workers on the Edinburgh Flood Prevention Scheme were forced to down tools after one local resident wrote to senior council officials demanding an immediate stop to the work, on the basis that the contractors were about to contravene strict planning guidelines.

Contractors arrived at 9am on Monday, November 21 to remove 11 trees in the Canonmills area at Howard Street and Warriston Road but were stopped two hours later while statutory notices were checked. Council officials intervened and issued a temporary halt to tree removal at 2pm.

A spokesperson for the City of Edinburgh Council has confirmed that the work on the Water of Leith has been suspended while the issue is investigated.

The move comes after local residents discovered a statement that the trees at Canonmills Bridge are to be “protected during construction works” in the Leith Public Enquiry Report (2004) that considered the flood prevention scheme.

Local resident Ani Rinchen Khandro alerted the chief executive of the council, Sue Bruce, and requested that the works be “halted immediately” via e-mail on Monday morning.

Ms Rinchen Khandro recently started an online petition which amassed more than 800 signatures in less than a week to “stop the chop” at Canonmills. She was also at the site on Monday to try and prevent the trees being cut down.

She said: “This is temporarily good news that will buy us some time.

“I am still concerned because anything can happen but obviously it is better than them already being cut down. It is a small victory but I am not naïve enough to think that it is the end of the story.”

She added: “Nobody wants to be flooded. I’m not saying that that work shouldn’t be done but we need a solution that fits this area more sensitively.”

Councillor Lesley Hinds, who represents the Inverleith ward, said she had also asked the chief executive to halt the cutting down of trees. She said: “I requested that we pause for reflection so that we may discuss this with the local residents but also so that we may get on with the flood prevention work as that does need to be done but the local community must be listened to.”

Cllr Hinds has offered to convene a discussion between the residents and council officials. She added: “We need to listen to what people have to say and find a solution that may alleviate their fears through another way of doing the work.”

Councillor Gordon Mackenzie, Transport Convener of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: "Tree felling on this section of the riverbank has been suspended to allow officials to ensure planning procedures are being followed. 

"It is proposed that nine trees are removed but that the area will be landscaped and new trees planted when the works are complete. Twice as many trees will be planted along the length of the project to replace those removed during construction."

A public meeting was held on Wednesday, November 16 where Stuart MacKay from Lagan Construction assured those present that permission had been secured to remove certain trees.

IN DETAIL

• Public outrage at tree felling in Stockbridge
• Angry locals request ‘stay of execution’