Call yourself eco-friendly? Fury as TfL begins work to remove Millbank's beloved palm tree as part of green scheme to pave over roundabout and make way for cycle lanes

Sadiq Khan's TfL today sparked a backlash after officials began work to remove Millbank's beloved palm tree roundabout to make way for cycle lanes, MailOnline can reveal.

The beloved tree is considered a London landmark and sits proudly in the middle of a roundabout on the north side of Lambeth Bridge, near Westminster.

Work has now started to lift the palm and relocate it to Churchill Gardens in Westminster, in an eco-move that TfL insists will make the roundabout safer for cyclists.

Tony Devenish, City Hall Conservatives London Assembly Member for West Central, slammed TfL for starting work on the roundabout, saying a cycle lane could have been put around the tree.

'So, so foolish TfL. The Palm is a very popular Millbank feature. You could have easily made cycle lane changes & kept the tree,' he said.

'Anyone in local politics knows you mess with London's trees at your peril. Well done Cllrs Harvey & Short for trying to make @Sadiqkhan & co see sense.' 

Mr Devenish added: 'We all support improving the safety of cyclists on London's roads. But the decision to remove this popular palm tree, a notable London landmark, is tone deaf. 

'We need more palm trees in London, not less. Surely, it's not beyond the boffins at TfL to design a cycle lane that improves the safety of cyclists while also protecting this much-loved tree.' 

London Traffic Watch wrote on X: 'Reduced capacity around Millbank Circus due to @TfL removing the much loved palm tree.' 

People on X have responded to the tree's removal, with one person writing: 'I love that tree! Always admire it every time I see it.'

Another said: 'They can't do that that's a national treasure.' 

A third wrote: 'Leave the tree alone.' 

In April 2015 a renowned art designer was killed as she cycled to work when a lorry cut left and ran over her at the roundabout. 

James Kwatia, 42, hit Moira Gemmill, 55, to death as she cycled up Lambeth Palace Road on the morning of April 9. 

Kwatia was found not guilty of causing her death by careless driving in 2017. 

Helen Cansick, TfL's Head of Healthy Streets Investment, said: 'Work to reduce danger at Lambeth Bridge is a vital part of our plans to save lives and ensure nobody is killed or seriously injured at London's most dangerous junction. The palm tree is being moved to a new location in the local area, following careful consideration, in order to allow this vital work to go ahead.'

A Westminster City Council spokesperson said: 'Safety is the council's top priority, and we are supporting TfL's much-needed safety improvements at this roundabout. The existing junction has the highest number of cycle collisions in London.

'Of course, we're sad to see this popular palm tree moved from its current location, but fans of the tree will be pleased to know it is being carefully moved to a new site in Churchill Gardens Estate.'