Major tree-felling work at Greenhall Park

Greenhall Park in High Blantyre is set to undergo a huge transformation later this month with tree felling and timber extraction taking place over a large area.

The work will take place from the park down to the river and across towards the Salvesen Homes and will start on August 14 with a full path and car park closure in place.

It is expected to take around six to eight weeks to complete.

Linda Mcconaghie of Central Scotland Green Network Trust explained: “Tree felling work involves large machinery and is very dangerous so Greenhall car park and adjacent paths will be closed while felling operations are in progress in the interest of public and worker safety.

“Warning and path closure signs will be in place to let visitors know when and where operations are taking place.

“For your own safely please heed warning signs and do not use paths that have been closed to allow tree felling work to take place even if machinery is not operating in the area.

“The area is an active forestry site and is closed to the public until the contractors have completed all felling operations.

“Path diversion signs will be in place.”

The work will include the removal of conifer trees in the area, which are being felled because they are too tall and unstable.

The forestry contractor will also be removing dangerous trees and cutting back over-grown rhododendron throughout the woodlands as well as removing the log-jam in the river.

It is understood the timber from the felled trees will be sold and the money re-invested to improve Greenhall, Millheugh and Barnhill for people and wildlife.

Path improvement work at Greenhall, Millheugh and Barnhill will also start at the end of August.

Linda added: “The contractors will start work at the Barnhill and work towards Greenhall to reinstate the paths once forestry operations have been completed.

“The work will take approximately six weeks. We will confirm a start date and provide more detailed information on the path works nearer the time.”

The work is funded by Forestry Commission Scotland through the Woodlands In and Around Towns (WIAT) funding programme, WREN’S FCC Scottish Action Fund and South Lanarkshire Council through money raised from the timber sales.

An information day with regards to the works will take place today (Thursday) from 11am to 6pm at Greenhall Park and then 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Priestfield Hall.