Major tree felling planned along busy road

Closures are planned along a busy stretch of a road in Derbyshire so infected trees can be felled.

Derbyshire County Council said many of the trees along the Via Gellia, between Cromford and Newhaven, were suffering from ash dieback and posed a threat to road users.

The authority said the four-mile (6.4km) stretch would be shut at various points from Monday 27 January until the end of February while trees were removed.

It said a "vast area" had been infected by the disease.

The council said the disease had weakened tree branches and there was a risk they could fall on to the road.

Council cabinet member for infrastructure and environment, Carolyn Renwick, said: "The steep valley sides of the Grange Valley have offered protection from wind and rain, making the Via Gellia ideal conditions for the disease to grow.

"Due to the vast area of trees affected, it means land along the route will look very different once the tree felling has taken place."

Replacement trees will be planted next winter, the council added.

The felling is to be carried out on private as well as council-owned land.

During the work, sections of the road will be closed completely to traffic on weekdays, between 08:00 GMT and 16:00.

Overnight, a single lane will be open with traffic lights in place.

The tree felling will involve removing all ash trees within 20 metres of each side of the road, the council said.

The authority said it had agreed the method with Natural England and the Forestry Commission.

Cabinet member for highways assets and transport, Charlotte Cupit, added: "We realise that the road closures will cause some temporary inconvenience for road users, but to try to reduce this disruption, we'll be closing sections of the road in phases to minimise disruption as much as possible."

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