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Visitors to the popular walking and horseriding spot in Weston-super-Mare are being warned to expect restricted access and diversions to footpaths and bridleways between Thursday 13 February and Friday 7 March*.
Due to the nature of the work and the machinery involved, no-one will be allowed to pass in either direction between 8am and 5pm 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 to trees. 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 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 Great 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 2022. 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.
“We removed some badly infected trees in Weston Woods during December 2022 and January 2023. We’re now going back to remove further trees that have been identified by our tree officers as unsafe as they pose a danger to users of the woods.
"While the work is being carried out, 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 Way team and the council’s principal 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."
Additional tree removal is due to take place in Weston Woods at the same time as the council’s ash dieback work. This will see tree felling within Worlebury Camp Hillfort and near Trinity Steps. While North Somerset Council, has provided permission as landowner, this is a separate project being led by volunteers at Worlebury Hillfort Group and funded solely by Weston-super-Mare Civic Society.
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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 www.n-somerset.gov.uk/hillfort.
*The temporary closures include three footpaths (AX31/71/20, AX31/72/10 and AX31/72/10) 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.