German nature-lovers wept Saturday as foresters with chain-saws cut down several oak trees at the site of a planned bridge that has raised the ire of the United Nations world cultural body UNESCO.

About 400 anti-bridge protesters, some with tears in their eyes, tried to stop the trees from being cut down with some holding hands for a sit-in round the trees. Riot police dragged them away so work could begin.

"These trees survived the bombing by the US and British military on February 13, 1945 but not the actions of our Saxon government," one elderly woman told the dpa news agency.

The demonstrations were latest protests against building the 160 million euro ($235 million) bridge, which began two weeks ago with site clearance. Additional protests are planned in the city on Sunday and Monday.

Federal funds threatened

Earlier in the week, a German transport ministry spokeswoman said legal counsel had been asked to examine whether the project is at odds with Germany's international undertakings to UNESCO. She said steps could be taken to reclaim the money if this were the case. The spokeswoman also said a legal review was "normal" after federal subsidies had been paid.

Plans for the Waldschlößchen Bridge, which will cross river meadows four kilometers (2.5 miles) east of the baroque city center of Dresden, have divided the city. Conservationists have said it will spoil a picture-postcard view of the eastern city.

Consequence of urban expansion

The state of Saxony insists on the need for the bridge to end lengthy detours in the city, which is growing along both banks of the Elbe River. In a 2005 referendum, city residents voted in favor of the move.

UNESCO listed a 20-kilometer section of the valley as a World Heritage Site in 2004 and has threatened to withdraw this status if the bridge is not made less intrusive.

Although courts have ruled that a UNESCO treaty cannot prevent the project, a report by federal counsel maintained that Saxony is bound by Germany's treaty undertakings, she said.

The state government of Saxony said it has not seen the legal report. Berlin has provided nearly 100 million euros from federal roads funds for the project.