Road closure planned for tree removal work
GoogleA main road in Derbyshire will be temporarily closed so essential works to remove diseased trees can take place.
Derbyshire County Council said the A623 would be closed in Middleton Dale between the road's junction with Farnsley Lane and the junction with the B6521 towards Eyam.
The council said the road closure will be in place from 08:00 BST to 17:00 from Monday to Thursday, and a signed diversion route will be in place.
According to the council, contractors working on behalf of the landowners will remove up to 200 trees showing signs of ash dieback and at risk of falling on to the road.
The council said signed diversions via the A619, A6020, A6 and back to the A623 will be in place.
The fungal disease affects ash trees, spreading through their branches until the whole tree eventually dies.
A spokesperson for the council said: "We continue to contact landowners across the county where trees present a risk to road safety and many, including those in Middleton Dale, have responded proactively by commissioning their own qualified contractors to carry out the necessary work.
"In a small number of cases where no response has been received, we have begun enforcement action as a last resort to remove trees posing a danger to people or property – and will seek to reclaim the costs of removal from the landowner."
Charlotte Hill, cabinet member for potholes, highways and transport, said the council "welcomes the co-operation" shown in Middleton Dale where private landowners and contractors have scheduled tree-felling together to minimise disruption.
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