Highways England in the firing line over netting hedge on the A19

The netting prevents birds nesting and was put up ahead of work on a new slip road to Mount Grace Priory off the A19.

But it provoked a furious response from conservationists, including Chris Packham.

The Springwatch presenter tweeted: "I'm calling on @HighwaysNEAST to immediately remove the anti-bird netting installed on the A19.

"We must stop squeezing nature into smaller spaces – help us stop this cruel practice."

Some locals also expressed concern. Carol Martin tweeted: "Totally barbaric netting trees at any time of the year but it's spring."

Highways England said the nets would come down on Saturday, when the hedge is removed.

The roadworks involve closing the gap in the central reservation and putting in sliplanes.

Up to 17 gaps on the A19 in North Yorkshire are being closed, after a safety study was carried out following the death of 83-year-old Sonia Rose, who died when a van crossed from one carriageway to another through a gap and hit her car head-on in 2016.

The Agency said it took environmental concerns “extremely seriously” but had to balance that with road safety. The hedges had to come down to improve visibility for drivers.

A spokesman said: “Once the major construction work is complete, we will plant new hedges to replace those lost and to maintain wildlife habitats.”

Mount Gtace is considered the best preserved Carthusian priory in Britain.