Hundreds of trees to be felled due to disease

Hundreds of trees in parks across Brighton are to be felled to "protect the future of the city's trees from disease", the council has said.

A combination of ash dieback and elm disease have infected trees in Hollingbury Woods, Wild Park and Stanmer Park.

Brighton & Hove City Council said the disease as accelerating and it was "vital to swiftly contain the spread".

Once the felling is complete, the council will access the best approach for regeneration, the authority added.

Councillor Alan Robins, cabinet member for sports and recreation, said: "We fully understand the concern and distress the felling work is causing, not least because in areas like Hollingbury Woods, the result can be a dramatic change in how parts of the woods look.

"The sad reality is that we must do this work to prevent the spread of disease to hundreds more trees.

"Our teams are working hard to ensure trees are only removed when we have no other option and we'll be looking at all available options for replanting in the future."

The work is due to take place between 24 and 28 February.

Meanwhile, the trees along Coldean Lane have also become heavily infected with elm disease and ash dieback over the last year, a council spokesperson said.

"Many of these trees have died and are in a state of serious decay; their proximity to the road and the path through the woodlands means they now present a significant danger to members of the public," they said.

"As there is a road closure already planned between 24 and 28 February, it makes sense to remove trees during this period to minimise disruption."

An additional 150 trees are also to be removed from the bluebell flats and Varley Hall, the council said.

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