Caerleon Road: Ash tree felling
Monday 28 September - mid-November 2020
A significant number of trees have to be felled because of Ash dieback disease, read more about Ash dieback below.
Progress update 13 October:
Specialist machinery is in place to lift affected trees from the site (see the image above). All trees are checked by the ecology team before being felled.
The team is now checking to allow the next band of trees to be felled towards the road and then lifted out by crane.
Road closure and diversions
A stretch of Caerleon Road is closed to pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles for safety reasons while the work is carried out by specialist contractors.
There is managed access to properties within the closure zone.
Diversion routes for most vehicles are via New Road, Belmont Hill, Royal Oak Hill, Chepstow Road, Clarence Place, Old Green roundabout and A4042.
Heavy vehicles will use the B4236, Ponthir, Llanfrechfa and the A4042.
Download a simple diagram of Caerleon Road diversions (pdf)
Download a detailed map of Caerleon Road traffic diversions (pdf)
View details of Newport Bus diversions.
Read our full statement for more information.
Ash dieback diease is caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, previously called Chalara fraxinea.
Current figures estimate that up to 95% of the ash trees in the UK will be lost to Ash dieback within the next 15 years, resulting in a major loss to our woodland and the biodiversity of these areas.
What does Ash dieback look like?
Ash dieback has a mushroom-like fruiting body that grows on infected ash tree leaf litter, bursting open in summer and releasing thousands of spores into the air, infecting healthy ash trees.
Visit Forest Research for more information, including how to recognise the disease.
Managing Ash dieback in Newport
All council-owned trees are surveyed to monitor their health and to identify any trees that may be unhealthy or pose a risk.
As part of these surveys we now identify and monitor Ash trees for signs of Ash dieback and will arrange to have badly infected trees felled to prevent accidents.
Some large areas of Ash trees will be felled with a significant impact on local wooded areas.
The council has a policy of planting two trees for every tree cut down on land it is responsible for, so any felled Ash trees will be replaced with other suitable trees.
You can help halt the spread of Ash dieback by:
- Cleaning your shoes after visiting a wooded area
- Not taking cuttings or plant material from the countryside
- Washing car or bike wheels to remove any plant matter or mud
Report Ash dieback
If you spot a tree with Ash dieback in a public place please report it as you would any other dangerous tree.
Or email Tree.Team@newport.gov.uk
Information for tree owners
Land owners have a legal duty of care and must maintain their trees in a reasonably safe condition.
If you have an Ash tree on your property we recommend that you get a tree surgeon to check for signs of Ash dieback.
A tree that has signs of the disease and is located where it could cause damage to persons or property should be removed.
You must ensure that all necessary consents are in place before felling a tree, seeking guidance from a tree surgeon or tree consultant.
Further information
Welsh Government - Ash dieback leaflet (pdf)
Natural Resources Wales - Tree Health
Woodland Trust - Ash dieback
Forest Research - Ash dieback
Contact
Email Tree.Team@newport.gov.uk with any queries.
TRA122256 14/07/2020