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Visitors to the popular walking and horse riding spot in Weston-super-Mare are being warned to expect restricted access and diversions to footpaths and bridleways between Monday 12 and Friday 16 December*. The routes are then planned to reopen for the festive period, before work resumes from Monday 9 January and is expected to take around a month.
Due to the nature of the work and the machinery involved, no-one will be allowed to pass in either direction between 8.30am and 4pm every day that work is being carried out. People are being asked to strictly adhere to signage, barrier tape and fencing in place for health and safety reasons.
This essential operation is due to Ash Dieback, a fungal disease which is often fatal. A rapid decline in the health of these trees means that urgent action is needed to remove them for the safety of users and to prevent further damage to the Worlebury Camp Hillfort, a scheduled monument.
Councillor Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council’s executive member for neighbourhoods and community services, said: "Ash Dieback is now a national problem. Unfortunately, there is no way of stopping the disease and it's feared it may affect up to 90 per cent of ash trees in Britain.
"We carried out a survey of all our ash trees in North Somerset and, as a result, published an Ash Dieback Action Plan in July. This sets out how we are dealing with the issue in North Somerset, including replanting in areas where we have had to remove infected trees. Trees in Weston Woods have been identified by our tree officers as unsafe and as they pose a danger to users of the woods, their urgent removal is being prioritised.
"During the works, access to the area of woods where felling is taking place will be prevented to ensure safety. However, the work will take place on weekdays meaning unrestricted access will be available at weekends. There will be signs in place so people know where they can and can’t go and I urge people visiting the woods to read and follow the signage.
“We don’t take Public Rights of Way closures lightly as we realise the inconvenience and disruption that it inevitably causes. I’m pleased that teams from across the council are working together – from tree officers, the Public Rights of Ways team and the council’s archaeologist – to limit disruption to the local environment, local residents and the people who use the woods for recreation. Every effort is being made to carry out the works on time."
Councillor Crockford-Hawley, North Somerset Council’s heritage champion, said: “Worlebury Camp Hillfort is one of the most significant Iron Age hillforts in the country, due in part to its prominent coastal location. Selective tree felling is essential to preserve the hillfort. Tree roots have caused damage and will continue to destroy the structure if we don’t intervene.
“Historic England has agreed the plan and the council has worked closely with them throughout the planning stages for this essential work, as they have done with the Worlebury Hillfort Group of volunteers.”
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More information about Ash Dieback can be found on the council's website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/ashdieback, while information about the hillfort is available at More information can be found on the council’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/hillfort.
*The temporary closures include three footpaths (AX31/93, AX31/71 and AX31/72) and two permissive paths. An interactive Public Rights of Way map is available on the council's website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/PROW.