Ancient oak trees along the Slough Canal towpath could be cut down to protect a gas pipe, worried neighbours fear.

Cadent gas distribution firm which operates a site on Uxbridge Road near the canal, plans to cut down a row of oak trees along a stretch of the canal towpath, Friends of Slough Canal believes.

But Cadent has not responded to requests for information, and authorities say they haven’t approved any work. Diane Richards, a founding member of Friends of Slough Canal, told the Observer it would be ‘tragic’ if the work went ahead.

She said: “It would be tragic if they were felled. Some of the trees have been there before the canal was even built, and some of the oldest trees could be 250 years old.”

Ms Richards said the main concern was for the potential impact on the environment. She said the felling of the trees could affect amphibians, reptiles, bats and a rare species of butterfly.

She also said residents of houseboats would be affected as the trees help to block noise from the nearby train line and industrial units.

Friends of Slough Canal launched an e-petition on the 38 Degrees website after catching wind of the potential plans.

They say Cadent has carried out assessment work, and that the plans relate to an existing gas pipe beneath the towpath between Langley Park Road and Hollow Hill Lane on the Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal.

But Cadent has not responded to a request for comment, and the Canal and Rivers Trust, which is responsible for the trees, says it has not issued a permit for any work.

A Canal and Rivers Trust spokesperson said: “We have not issued a permit for the felling of trees in this location. Anyone seeking to carry out such work on our land must comply with our code of practice.”