ROADS along parts of the A360 will be temporarily closed to remove infected trees.

A number of roads around Chitterne, Shrewton and Tilshead will be closed from 9am until 6pm on weekdays while trees are felled.

Work to fell the trees, which have Ash Dieback disease, will start on February 27 and it is expected to take four weeks.

Thousands of ash trees across Salisbury Plain Training Area are infected.

There is no cure or treatment for the disease and over time infected trees weaken, causing branches to fall and trees to eventually collapse and die.

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The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) said this presents a significant health and safety risk to the public and military.

The closures have been agreed upon with Wiltshire Council and diversions will be in place.

Details of specific closures as they occur will be available on gov.uk or the one.network website.

Summary of the programme

Week one:

  • February 27 - March 1: full road closures along the A360 between Gore Cross and Tilshead
  • March 2: full road closure for one day from the entrance to Candown Road on the A360 in Tilshead to the West Gate entrance to Westdown Camp

Week two:

  • March 6-7:  Two day full road closures on Chitterne Road between Tilshead and Chitterne
  • March 8-10: Three day full road closures on the B390 between Shrewton and Chitterne

Weeks three and four:

  • March 13-24: Full week day road closures from the corner of the B3083 and the Common in Shrewton, back into Shrewton narrow lane

In all cases, work will be temporarily halted to provide access to local residents and allow buses and emergency vehicles to continue along these roads on their usual routes to avoid delays.

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Lieutenant Colonel Andy Hough, DIO’s Commander South West Training Estate, said: “While it is unfortunate that these trees must be felled, it is sadly necessary for the protection of everyone using the A360, whether military or civilian.

"We apologise for the disruption this will cause and ask for the patience of road users so that we can carry out this important work.” 

DIO and Landmarc began a programme of felling infected trees across Salisbury Plain Training Area in early 2020 at Ashdown Copse near Tidworth followed by a significant programme of work along the A345.

Salisbury Journal: A345 tree felling in 2020.A345 tree felling in 2020. (Image: Defence Infrastructure Organisation)

The next phase will be completed by the end of March with a final package of work commencing mid-March, which will affect parts of the A338, the A303 and the A345.