Visitors urged to observe safety signage during FLS verge clearance work

Forestry and Land Scotland’s (FLS) team in the north of Scotland is urging visitors to pay attention to safety signage during verge clearance at a number of locations between Golspie and Fort Augustus.

Clearing broom, gorse, scrub and naturally regenerating trees that encroach on forest roads involves using mulching equipment and occasionally circular saws and sheers.

With a risk of flying debris, visitors are urged to observe safety signage, use alternative routes where possible or, in busier work zones, wait until banksmen advise that it is safe to pass.

FLS Civil Engineer, Anna Torode, said;

“Part of our road maintenance regime involves cutting back roadside vegetation to protect the roads and improve access.

“It limits root damage to the roads, helps to keep drains flowing and allows light and airflow to improve and dry out the roads.

“It also really helps visibility and provides clear, unobstructed access through our forests  - which makes things safer for our machine operators and for visitors.

“However, it can be quite dangerous so visitors should observe all safety measures in place.”

Roadside vegetation retains excess moisture and keeps the forest roads wet. This increases the risk of potholing and rutting, and in the colder months increases the risk of frost heave.  

A cleared corridor also acts as a fire break, with a much reduced fuel load lessening the risk of fires crossing the forest road. And should a fire occur, cleared verges ensure that fire service vehicles have unobstructed access to the emergency.

Operations take place in the Autumn and Winter to avoid bird nesting season and where necessary, environmental surveys are carried out prior to the operation.

However, vegetation clearance and mulching can also potentially deliver additional biodiversity benefits.

FLS Wildlife Ecologist, Colin Leslie, added;

“Mulched material creates habitats for various species, particularly fungi and other lower taxa but this man-made habitat is not well understood.  

“The fertilising effect of mulch that has decomposed will likely alter soil biodiversity communities, potentially increasing biodiversity at the local scale.

"Removal of dense vegetation also allows many pollinator plants to flourish creating a food source for many species. This way we can maintain suitable habitat for rare species such as Narrow-bordered Bee Hawkmoth and Pearl-bordered Fritillary.”

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.
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