Forest Operations Letter
Dear Sir/Madam
I am writing to you to ensure that you are aware of the forest operations that should begin in the area soon near to your property. Please see map enclosed; the red area on the map will be clear felled in accordance with the Statutory Plant Health Notice that has been served, due to a confirmed outbreak of the tree disease Phytophthora ramorum. Work has started this week, initially felling along the powerlines. There will also be a road closure to fell the diseased ash along Bromley Road, from Fetter Hill up to Ellwood crossroads. We don’t have confirmed dates for this yet from Highways but you will receive a letter once we know.
The disease is not harmful to people or animals. When visiting the woodland please assist us in reducing the spread of the disease by keeping to marked paths, keep dogs on leads, do not take plant material or soil home with you and before visiting other woodlands, parks, gardens or garden centres, clean mud and leaves from boots, bikes, buggies, dogs and horses.
You will notice a significant operational presence in the woodland; with banks persons, harvesting machinery, signage, and timber stacks. The works will have some visual impact on the woodland, those walking, cycling will notice rutting of the forest track. We will do our best to use existing extraction routes to minimise the damage to the forest floor, which is inevitable with the scale of machinery that must be used. This will be reinstated where necessary on completion of the work.
Forestry operations are inherently dangerous, so whilst out and about during this time please adhere to the safety warning signage for your own safety and the safety of those working the in the forest. Banks persons may be present in some locations, and we would politely request that members of the public take heed of any instructions given for the safety of all concerned. Some tracks may be closed off during weekdays whilst operations are underway, but alternative routes will be available.
Harvesting contracts can sometimes be quite drawn out due to the many constraints that we have to work around, so please bear with us as we carry out this important work with the aim of minimising inconvenience to all site users. Thank you for your co-operation.
There is more information on our website www.forestryengland.uk/west-phytophthora-ramorum
Please get in contact if you have any further questions westengland@forestryengland.uk
Kind regards,
Tamsin Sagar
Community Ranger- West Dean