A NUMBER of roads are set to be closed north of Salisbury later this month due to a tree-felling clearance scheme. 

From August 9-31, roads in Netheravon, Bulford and Tidworth will be closed so trees infected with ash dieback disease can be removed.   

Thousands of ash trees across Salisbury Plain Training Area, as well as many more across the country, are infected with the disease.

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

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This presents a significant health and safety risk alongside roads and in woodland areas used by the public for recreation activities and military personnel for training.

For the safety of road users it is now necessary to remove infected trees along local roads bordering MOD land in Netheravon, Bulford and Tidworth.

The closures will take place between 9.30am and 6pm on weekdays only, in a rolling programme between August 9 and 31 .

In summary, the programme will run as follows:

August 9-11, Mill Road, Netheravon

  • Full road closure on Mill Road in Netheravon between the A345 junction and  Stonehenge Brewery. Diversions are less than two miles, which will be in place along local roads.

August 14-16, Bulford Droveway

  • Full road closure on Bulford Droveway in Bulford between the Milston Road and Bulford Road junctions. Diversions will be in place but the ends of the Bulford Droveway closure can be reached via the A3028 and Amesbury Road, which is a four mile diversion.

August 21-31, Tidworth

  • Full road closure on the A338 between Shipton Bellinger High St north to St Mary’s Church. Diversions from the south are from the A338 to the A303 then east to exit for the A342 to Devizes. At the Portway Roundabout, drivers should follow A342 north-west through Ludgershall to re-join the A338.
     
  • From the north, drivers should leave the A338 at the A342 staggered crossroads, turn east and follow the A342 south-east through Ludgershall to the Portway Roundabout. Drivers can then join the A303 west-bound and take the Salisbury/Marlborough exit onto the A338.

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

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.

A second phase was completed at the end of March, and the felling in August will be the final package of work to take place in 2023.

For more information click here.