Delayed Culloden felling under way

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has this week completed the first stage of tree felling along the railway line at Culloden Woods.

The work, to remove trees that Network Rail had identified as a potential hazard to the line, had originally been planned for earlier this year but was delayed due to scheduling clashes.

However, the impact of recent storms brought the importance of the work to the fore.

FLS’ North Region Operations Manager, Malcolm Macdougall, said;

“The significant storm damage throughout Culloden Woods illustrates exactly why this work needs to be done.

“It put the safety of rail passengers - and rail freight – at potential risk and that needed to be addressed first.

“We’ve removed over-mature conifers and beech trees that were growing along the boundary fences and we’d like to thank the local community for observing the safety notices and staying out of the closed work zone while operations were under way.

“We will now look to schedule the removal of other windblow throughout the woods to make the forest safe so that we can re-open the wider trail network.”

FLS required a Basic Asset Protection Agreement from Network Rail authorising it to work within the risk zone of the railway.

Rachel Long, regional asset manager at Network Rail Scotland, said:

"Safety of passengers, staff and communities alongside the railway is always our number one priority.

"Storms can leave trees weakened or uprooted, creating a real risk of them falling onto the tracks and causing disruption or damage. That’s why it’s vital we address vegetation risks carefully, working in close partnership with organisations like Forestry and Land Scotland.

"At Culloden Woods, this joint effort is helping to protect the railway and ensure services remain safe and reliable for everyone who depends on them."

Specialist contractors were brought in to carry out precision chainsaw felling to ensure trees fall in the correct place and to then to winch the trees away from the tracks and embankment.

Malcolm added;

“The extent of the damage is such that we are having to amend our Land Management Plan for the woodland and as part of that will be carrying out a public consultation over the coming weeks on our proposals for making the forest safe for neighbours and visitors.”

Any queries regarding the felling should be directed to enquiries.north@forestryandland.gov.scot 

Notes to Editors

1. 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.
2. Home - Forestry and Land Scotland | twitter.com/ForestryLS