Resilience felling a top priority
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has highlighted the importance of the long-term programme of resilience felling across much of highland Scotland to significantly reduce the risk to the country’s infrastructure.
The reminder comes ahead of the start of tree felling operations along a 5km stretch of steep hillside on the A890 on the south side of Loch Carron.
Beginning in late June, FLS will undertake an extensive programme of felling between Ardnarff and Stromeferry that will see traffic management put in place as part of the essential safety measures, to protect the public and the operations team.
FLS is working closely with the Highland Council to ensure disruption to traffic is kept to a minimum, including some small sections of night working where this is possible.
Becky Milne, FLS’ Steep Ground Project Manager, said;
“For over 15 years we have steadily been dealing with this legacy issue from the mid-20th century when productive conifer trees were planted on some very steep sites that today would not be considered suitable.
“Not harvested when they should have been, those trees have grown to a size that makes them dangerously vulnerable to being blown over in high winds, which in places could seriously damage infrastructure, including roads, powerlines, utilities and tele-comm’s networks.
“As well as more frequent high winds, Scotland is also experiencing more bursts of heavy rain that can also destabilise steep slopes, many of which line arterial trunk roads and in this case the railway line that runs from Dingwall to Kyle of Lochalsh.
“A significant storm event could result in several millions of pounds worth of infrastructure damage, have significant ecological impacts and see utilities and service disruptions that could last for weeks.
“It’s a difficult, dangerous and demanding job but we are making good progress, with Ardnarff being the next site we're going to deal with."
FLS has been making steady progress clearing over-mature conifers from the steep slopes by Loch Ness, as well as at a number of other locations. The programme of work involves close partnership working with Transport Scotland/Bear Scotland, as well as consultants and specialist contractors.
The nature of the work is highly dangerous. Some trees are up to 60m tall and can weigh as much as 15 tonnes or more. These need to be felled and hauled up hill to a safe storage area before being prepared for removal from the site.
The nature of the hillsides also means that significant safety measures have to be carried out. This includes geo-technical inspections and remedial works to stabilise the hillside where necessary, and the installation of catch-fencing to prevent any rocks or boulders that are dislodged from reaching the carriageway.
Once the over-mature conifers are removed, FLS is planting the hillsides using native tree species the roots of which will help to bind the soil on the hillsides and reduce the risk of landslips in the future.
Notes to editors
- Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
- Media enquiries to media@forestryandland.gov.scot