Bristol’s A4 Portway will close for five days to remove diseased ash trees, affecting traffic and requiring alternative routes for pedestrians and cyclists
Bristol: The A4 Portway is shutting down for five days to take down some sick ash trees. These trees are infected with ash dieback, a nasty fungal disease that’s been spreading across the UK and Europe.
The work kicks off on Monday, January 20, and runs until Friday, January 24. Heavy machinery will be used to get the job done. This follows similar work done just last week, and there’s another round planned for the weekend of February 1 and 2.
During this week, the Portway will be closed from Sylvan Way to Bridge Valley Road between 9 PM and 5:30 AM. Then, on that first weekend of February, there will be more closures from 2 AM to 2 PM on Saturday and 2 AM to 4 PM on Sunday.
Good news is that the Cumberland Basin flyover will stay open throughout the work. But, during the weekend closures, some slipways onto the A4 Portway will be blocked off, including Bennett Way and Cabot Way.
The council is advising pedestrians and cyclists to find different routes while the work is happening. If you really need to get through, there will be marshals around to help guide you safely.
Councillor Ed Plowden mentioned that they’ve done a thorough check to ensure they’re removing the trees that pose the biggest risk. He apologized for any hassle this might cause but emphasized that it’s crucial to prevent any falling trees from causing accidents.
As for the trees that are cut down, they won’t go to waste. They’ll be turned into woodchip to fuel biomass boilers in various public buildings, like schools and leisure centers. The council is working closely with ecologists and has the necessary permissions from Natural England and the Forestry Commission.
So, keep an eye out for signs about the road closures and detours. They’ll be posted ahead of time to help everyone navigate around the work.
