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Restormel: URGENT TREE SAFETY WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC

A large number of trees growing within Crinnis Woods, St. Austell, within falling distance of the highway, have been identified as posing a considerable hazard to the public following inspections by Tree Officers.




The majority of the woodland trees are identified as having fungal decay, structural defects or being over-mature, declining or dead. The proposed removal of over 60% of the mature trees due to immediate safety concerns, would leave remaining trees isolated and exposed which will be at greater risk of wind-throw, instability and wind stresses. With the increase in exposure, remaining trees will pose a greater hazard to the highway and can be expected to decline more rapidly as the shelter provided by adjacent trees is removed. Their life expectancy in this more exposed situation could be 5 - 10 years maximum.



On the basis of the trees posing a hazard to the highway and adjacent residential dwellings, the safe useful life expectancy of the remaining trees, the complications of the road closure and the issues of electricity supply, the County Council in consultation with Restormel Borough Council has decided on the following course of action:


Cut and clear all existing vegetation / fly-tipped green waste to allow felling operations.


Fell all the mature conifers within the area of highway land in the interests of public safety from the entrance to Wheal Regent Park to Crinnis Lane.


Retain existing broadleaf trees (where possible) and remove trees with poor form.


Replant with a mixture of broadleaf and conifer species trees in the winter/spring of 2006/2007.


Ongoing site management to be undertaken as part of the Street Trees Maintenance Contract annually.


Oliver Bennett, Tree Officer with the County Council said, 'The loss of so many mature trees may come as quite a shock for local residents, and we have carefully considered all the options before making the difficult decision to fell the woodland fringe. We are fully committed to a comprehensive replanting scheme, to ensure that trees are once again grown to form a strong feature of the site, and that we maintain the conservation interest and amenity value of the area.'



'The site has within it two high voltage electricity cables above and below ground, which will need to be shut down for the duration of the works which we anticipate as taking approximately 14 days. Western Power Distribution will provide four generators to maintain supply to affected dwellings in the area. The power supply is presently under threat from the poor condition of the trees.'



Due to the size and proximity of the trees to the highway, the road will be closed for the duration of works which are expected to take approximately 14 days. The road will be closed from the entrance to Wheal Regent Park to Crinnis Wood Lane (8.00 am - 4.30 pm) from the 27th February - 12th March. This work is being organised by County Highways and local residents will be advised of the road closure in advance.



In conjunction with the works, Cormac will also be clearing the amassed fly-tipped green waste which has accumulated from years of illegal dumping, most likely thought to be caused by local residents who have been disposing of green waste in the area. This work will be completed in advance of the woodland management work, to allow a safe and clear working environment for the team of arborists doing the main body of work. Cormac will be starting this work on the 23rd January and hope to complete the clearance within two weeks.



Oliver added 'As we intend to re-plant the site with a mixture of native and introduced conifers and broadleaf trees, we would hope that the custom and practice of fly-tipping green waste will cease. I would encourage local landowners who have been dumping their green waste on this land to use local green-waste recycling initiatives which are up and running. This will help prevent the site from looking unkempt, and reduce the spread of invasive plant species into our woodlands.'



For further information on local civic amenity sites which accept green-waste (free of charge) contact Cornwall Council on 01872 222000. Restormel Borough Council also provide a green waste collection service and can advise on home composting. They can be contacted on 01726 223311.