RESIDENTS are being warned in advance that a key local road will be closed for multiple days over the coming weeks, while foresters work to remove trees that have become "a particular safety risk" for the public.

Forestry England (FE) will be removing a number of ash trees along the A4136 from Edge End to Mitcheldean, which is a main route between Coleford and Cinderford and the A40 at Huntley, which links the Forest to Gloucester and Ross-on-Wye.

FE says the trees pose a risk to motorists as they are suffering from the "destructive" disease Chalara ash dieback, which causes ash trees to weaken and drop their limbs, or even fall entirely.

The works will require a full road closure and diversion to be put in place between 9.30am and 9.30pm on weekdays, with access to property and for emergency services maintained using banks persons.

FE says the trees are showing more than 50 per cent crown dieback, which makes them "potentially unsafe" for road users.

The works will be carried out in three phases in January and February, with the first closure coming into effect from Monday, January 24, and lasting until the end of Friday, January 28, between Edge End and Mireystock crossroads near Brierley.

The second closure will run from Monday, January 31 until the end of Friday, February 4 between Brierley and Nailbridge.

The final phase between Nailbridge and Mitcheldean will commence on Monday, February 7, but will be managed using traffic lights rather than a full road closure.

FE says that all ash trees showing more than 50 per cent crown dieback within a tree length of a public highway need to be felled "or otherwise made safe."

The understorey within five metres of the road will be coppiced at the same time to improve visibility along the road.

Dave Sykes, Forestry England Beat Forester in the Forest of Dean, explained: "Our sustainable forest management of the Forest of Dean includes regular surveying for pests and diseases affecting the trees.

"Our latest roadside safety survey identified Chalara ash dieback along the A4136, the trees here are a particular safety risk for the public because the effects of Chalara can destabilise a tree very quickly.

"Diseased trees are at greater risk of dropping branches or falling altogether, which is a risk to road users.

"An uprooted tree close to the road could even damage the integrity of the carriageway itself. 

"Forestry work is extremely hazardous, and the brittle nature of Chalara-infected trees is an extra factor we must manage which is why we are working in sections under a full closure.

"We have individually inspected each tree to decide how best to make it safe, you may have noticed that many trees along the A4136 are marked with an orange cross."

Chalara ash dieback is caused by a fungus called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus.

The fungus blocks the tree’s water transport system which causes leaf loss and lesions in the wood and on the bark.

This in turn causes the crown of the tree to "literally die back", and the trees become brittle over time and may drop branches.

The disease affects ash trees across the UK and Europe.

For more information about the works happening in the Forest, go to www.forestryengland.uk/article/forest-of-dean-ash-works.