Temporary path closure for tree felling – Marriott’s Way, South of Whitwell Station

Essential tree felling is taking place from 8 December 2021 along the Marriott’s Way. The work is expected to take two weeks in total, weather permitting.

Due to the nature of the work all access to a section of the Marriott’s Way will need to be closed while the work is carried out. Diversions suitable for people walking, cycling and horse-riding will be put into place.

Following annual tree health and safety surveys focussing on ash dieback disease, dead and dangerous trees which are now posing a risk to path users and/or neighbouring property require urgent removal. Trees with high levels of infection have to be removed because they become brittle or are likely to succumb to secondary infection from pathogens such as honey fungus, which will cause an increased risk to the public. However, trees that are showing low infection rates will be retained for as long as possible.

Norfolk County Council are taking this opportunity to create a more diverse tree and shrub landscape which will be more resilient to future pests, diseases and the impact of our changing climate. The work will include ride management and wildflower works which involves cutting back some of the dense regrowth from previous felling to allow for a more varied habitat.

Along the Marriott’s Way, a rich variety of other tree and shrub species are present and rapid natural regeneration will occur. This is seen as the most effective approach for regeneration on this site due to soil conditions. The result will be long term biodiversity gains by opening up the canopy, encouraging wildflowers to grow and healthy trees to establish naturally.

This work is part of a wider ash dieback management scheme along the Marriott’s Way.

Norfolk County Council thank people for their patience while this work is carried out.

The works will be carried out by Norfolk County Council’s Community and Environmental Services Department and their contractors. This work is funded by Norfolk County Council’s wider ash dieback mitigation budget.

For Further Information:

Norfolk County Council Norfolk Greenways Team, 0344 800 8020

norfolkgreenways@norfolk.gov.uk

If you have any issues to report on any of Norfolk’s public right of way network or highways, please visit:

www.norfolk.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/roads/report-a-problem

Up-to-date information about roadworks in Norfolk is available on the County Council website at www.norfolk.gov.uk/roadworks