A busy Stirling road near Gowan Hill is closing for seven days next week to urgently remove a crop of diseased trees.
From Wednesday, March 19 to Wednesday, March 26, Back O’Hill Road will be closed from 9:30am to 15:30am to allow tree surgeons to safely remove the infected trees.
The road will be closed from beyond the traffic lights at Sainsbury’s to the mini roundabout on the junction with the Raploch Road.
Traffic will be able to access Sainsbury’s and McDonald’s through the mini roundabout next to the fast food restaurant.
The Back O’Hill Industrial Estate can be accessed via Raploch Road and Huntly Crescent.
For public safety, the footpaths next to the affected section of Gowan Hill will also be closed for the duration of the works.
Two alternative pedestrian routes will be available via Drip Road and Raploch Road.
The council plan to replace the trees once they have been removed.
Ash dieback
The current trees are infected with a dangerous fungal disease called Ash dieback.
Originating in Eastern Asia, Ash dieback was first identified in the U.K. over a decade ago.
The disease affects the common ash tree, which makes up more than 12 per cent of the U.K.’s woodland.
Trees infected with Ash dieback are most commonly found in parks, hedgerows and roadsides.
Convener of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee, Cllr Jen Preston, said: “We have identified a number of trees with Ash dieback and they now pose an increased hazard to road and footpath users.
“Many of the trees along the stretch of road are infected, dead or in declining health, and the resulting reduction in wood strength poses an increased risk that they could fall.
“The work is absolutely necessary and, for reasons of safety, can only be conducted during daylight hours.
“We thank residents and local businesses for their understanding while we undertake this important work.
“We will also undertake a replacement tree planting programme at appropriate locations following the completion of these works.”
Featured image credit: Stirling Council
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