LEGAL action against London Underground for the "desecration" of Croxley Hall Woods has been dropped, it emerged this week.

The Watford Observer reported in March how more than 70 trees had been chopped down on the land owned by Three Rivers District Council, apparently by London Underground subsidiary vehicles, and the council threatened legal action.

However, the prosecution has now been dropped due to "insufficient evidence", because London Underground Ltd (LUL), its subsidiary, Metronet, and contractors, Arbourtech, may have received verbal permission from a council staff member to undertake the works.

The council denies the allegation.

Hertfordshire Police have now advised the district council that the Crown Prosecution Service believes there is "an unrealistic chance of a criminal prosecution succeeding".

A police representative said the incident was the result of a "breakdown in communication" between the council and London Underground and its contractors.

The Keep Croxley Green group have been campaigning to allocate the woods Village Green status.

Group chairman, Barry Grant, said: "It had been common knowledge since the end of April that it was unlikely there would be clear grounds for a criminal prosecution. "Nevertheless, the fact is that 100 or so trees were unlawfully felled on council-owned land and action should have been taken in the spring to replace the felled trees and repair ground damage." Metronet declined to comment on the matter.