Ash dieback work to fell 40 trees means closure of major road

MOTORISTS are being given advance warning of an overnight road closure in South Devon along the A381.

On Thursday, November 24, Devon County Council has announced that, as a safety precaution, ash dieback infected trees will be removed alongside the A381 Totnes to Kingsbridge road.

The road will be closed between Bickleigh Cross and the junction with the A3122 turning for Dartmouth

overnight from 7pm this Thursday until 7am the following morning.

The closure will enable the removal of more than 40 ash trees which are dead, diseased, or damaged and pose a safety risk to the public.

Access to businesses and properties within the closure will be maintained, although there may be a small delay to ensure safe passage. Emergency access will be maintained. A signed diversion will be in place via A381, A385, A38, A3121, A379, A381 and vice versa.

Ash dieback is a fungus which originated in Asia. It does not cause much damage on its native hosts, the Manchurian ash and the Chinese ash, but its introduction to Europe about 30 years ago has devastated the European ash, because native ash species did not evolve with the fungus.