PARTS of the popular Strawberry Line in Somerset will close on weekdays for up to two months from September as essential works are carried out.
North Somerset Council has announced temporary closures along sections of the traffic-free walking and cycling route from Tuesday, September 1, to allow its tree team to remove ash trees affected by Ash Dieback disease.
The authority said the diseased trees pose an "unacceptable threat" to users of the route and must be removed as part of a planned programme of safety work.
The project, which has been developed in consultation with Natural England, is expected to take between six and eight weeks. Closures will only be in place from Monday to Friday, with the Strawberry Line remaining open at weekends.
The works will be completed in three phases.
The first phase will run from Tuesday, September 1, to Friday, September 18, covering the section between the A38 and the tunnel near Axbridge. During this period, the remainder of the route to Winscombe Sports and Social Club will also be closed to allow the safe removal of timber.
The second phase is scheduled for Monday, September 28, to Friday, October 9, and will focus on the stretch between the Axbridge tunnel and Winscombe Sports and Social Club.
The section from the A38 to the social club will be closed throughout these works.
The final phase will take place between Monday, November 2, and Friday, November 13, affecting the route between Lynch Road bridge and Woodborough Road bridge in Winscombe.
During each phase, the affected section will be fully closed while contractors use heavy machinery to remove and manage diseased trees.
Due to the nature of the work and limited access points along the route, there will be no access through closed sections during working hours. Diversions will be signposted where possible, although some routes will use local roads and may not be suitable for all users.
Signs explaining the reasons for the closures will also be installed to help visitors understand the necessity of the work.
Councillor Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council's cabinet member for sustainable places, 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 don't take Public Rights of Way closures lightly as we realise the inconvenience and disruption that it inevitably causes.
"Every effort is being made to carry out the works on time and to limit disruption to the local environment, residents, and those who use the Strawberry Line. Thank you for your cooperation."
More information about Ash Dieback can be found on North Somerset Council's website.
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