MARIBYRNONG Council has moved to ease community concerns over the future of gum trees in the Yarraville Station Plaza.

Council manager of city design Matt Slavin is confident the $738,000 plaza redevelopment will incorporate the existing flora in a sympathetic manner.

The council originally planned to keep only two of the existing seven trees, but has backed down following considerable community opposition to the proposed cull.

"Council met with community members to discuss their concerns,"

Mr Slavin said. "And as a result an additional tree will remain for two to three years and in addition, the new trees being planted will be semi-mature stock at around three metres in height."

Nine new trees will be planted in the park space to complement the trees that will remain, while four trees will be planted on Birmingham Street. With construction now under way, vehicle access to Birmingham Street via Anderson Street has been halted as the first stage of the project turns the station and surrounding areas into a work site.

Residents' and traders' responses to the redevelopment remain mixed.

"You can see their (the council's) point in trying to change the area, but I think they've forgotten about the locals who will want to drop off people at the station in their cars," said longtime Yarraville resident Graham Richards. Ry Drendle, of Green Collect, said she would enjoy the view of the plaza in future from her vantage point directly opposite the proposed site. "We would be against losing any trees, but any development that would provide for more pedestrians over this side of the train line we would welcome."

For Neil Hibbert, his afternoons spent selling the Big Issue on Anderson Street can be interrupted by the occasional incident of road rage.

"I think something needs to be done (about traffic congestion in the area)," he said.