Busy Derbyshire A-road set for further closure as work to fell trees continues – with project set to finish this month

Contractors working on Derbyshire County Council’s (DCC) behalf have been working at pace since January 5 to remove trees at risk of falling onto the Via Gellia road between the Clatterway (Bonsall) junction and Grangemill.

From Monday, February 9, work will shift to another section and a road closure will be in place between the junction with the B5036 Cromford Hill and Clatterway – from 8.00am until 4.00pm. This will allow contractors to remove the remaining trees that could cause danger to road users on the Via Gellia.

Work on the Cromford to Clatterway section is expected to take around three days to complete. The section of road between Clatterway (Bonsall) and Ryder Point will re-open on Monday, February 9 to coincide with this work and allow access to Bonsall.

Signed diversions will continue to be in place when the road is closed via A6 Matlock Bath, A6 Matlock, A6 Darley Dale, A6 Bakewell, A6 Taddington, A6 Blackwell, A5270, A515 Newhaven, A5012 to Grangemill and vice versa. Access to Bonsall and Woodside Café will be via B5036 Cromford Hill, B5035 Middleton, B5023 Ryder Point, A5012 Bonsall and vice versa.

The section of road between Ryder Point and Grangemill is expected to re-open completely during the afternoon or evening of Friday, February 27 (weather permitting), signalling the project’s completion.

DCC’s cabinet member for potholes, highways and transport, Councillor Charlotte Hill said: “I’m pleased that this work is nearing completion and we look set to be able to open the entire route to traffic.

“Felling diseased ash trees by the roadside is a priority for safety reasons and I’d like to thank everyone for their patience while we carry out this vital work. We apologise for traffic disruption and road closures but public safety must come first.”

Ash is currently the second most common tree found in Derbyshire and ash dieback is already widespread across the county. It’s expected to infect between 50% and 90% of the ash tree population over the next 10 to 20 years.

DCC’s cabinet member for net zero and environment, Councillor Carol Wood renewed a plea to private landowners to be vigilant and monitor the condition of trees on their property.

She said: “Private landowners are reminded that trees on their property are their responsibility and they should monitor ash trees for symptoms of ash dieback. If a tree were to injure someone or cause damage to property then the landowner could be liable.

“If we’re aware of trees on private property causing a risk to public safety on a road or public path, we’ll try to liaise with the landowner, ask them to remove them, and if action isn’t taken, we may remove them ourselves and seek to reclaim the cost from the landowner under the council’s statutory powers.

“Taking steps themselves early on not only reduces the risk but means they’re in control of their own costs too.

“We have a robust plan in place to remove diseased trees on council property through surveys to identify high risk trees, monitoring or removing them depending on their surroundings, and either allowing the natural regeneration of new trees or replanting either on site or elsewhere to restore the Derbyshire treescape.

“We won’t remove any trees unnecessarily. We want to retain trees if they have immunity to the disease and can help new disease-resistant trees get established.”

Landowners who suspect trees on their property might be causing a safety risk should consult a tree professional. They are advised to get several quotes and beware of rogue traders. Reputable tree surgeons can be found through DCC’s Trusted Trader scheme or the Arboricultural Association approved list of contractors.

Anyone who spots a tree while out and about and is concerned about its safety can report it by emailing [email protected] – especially those that are adjacent to highways, on public rights of way or in high traffic areas of parks.