A369 road closure for urgent Ash Dieback tree work
The A369 at Abbots Leigh is set to close from Monday 25 April for five days to allow North Somerset Council to fell a number of diseased ash trees.
In the meantime, these trees alongside the busy A369 have been identified by our tree officers as unsafe. As they pose a danger to road users, they require urgent removal.
"Due to the aggressive nature of the disease, we are unfortunately not able to restrict the removal of dangerous trees to outside the bird-nesting season as work needs to take place all year round to deal with the problem. I’m reassured however that an ecologist will be on site throughout the works to make sure Diversion routes will be in place by connecting no harm is caused to wildlife, particularly birds. the A369 to the A370 using the B3129 (Beggar Bush Lane) near Failand and the B3129 "We don’t take closure of such a main road (Clevedon Road) near Long Ashton. The lightly as we realise the inconvenience and public is asked to follow diversion signage. disruption that it inevitably causes. Every effort is being made to carry out the works This essential operation is due to Ash Dieon time and we will communicate updates back, a fungal disease which is often fatal. through the council’s social media channels." A rapid decline in the health of these trees means that urgent action is needed to remove The road closure is in place for all motorised them for safety reasons. and non-motorised traffic, including cyclists, horseriders and pedestrians. Councillor Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council’s Executive Member for For updates, please like and follow the Neighbourhoods and Community Services, said: "Ash Dieback is now a national problem. following council social media accounts. Unfortunately, there is no way of stopping the Facebook: Nature and Climate North Somerset (@NatureandClimateNorthSomerdisease and it's feared it may affect up to 90 set) and North Somerset Travel and Roads per cent of ash trees in Britain. (@NStravelandroads). Twitter: North "We carried out a survey of all our ash trees in Somerset Travel and Roads (@NStravel_roads). North Somerset last year and are now working on an Ash Dieback action plan. This More information about Ash Dieback can be sets out how we will deal with the issue in North Somerset, including replanting in areas found on the council's website at where we have had to remove infected trees. https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/ashdieback. No traffic will be allowed to pass in either direction at Rownham Hill, a major route into and out of Bristol, between 9.30am and 3.30pm every day from Monday 25 to Friday 29 April. Marshalls will be present to allow access to residents and businesses only.
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