Michael Gove demands end to Sheffield tree-felling programme

City council accuses environment secretary of 'ill-informed whims' that contradict his government's policy

Michael Gove has intervened in a long-running battle to try to stop a controversial tree-felling programme in Sheffield.

A number of Sheffield residents have been arrested trying to protect some of the 6,000 trees that face being chopped down as part of a 25-year 2bn highway maintenance scheme called Streets Ahead.