The road (A5012) will be closed weekdays from 8am until 4pm, just after Woodside Cafe after the junction with the road to Bonsall up to Grangemill (the junction with the B5056).
Emergency procedures are also in place to close the road at any time when high winds are forecast.
Ash dieback is a serious problem which kills trees making them brittle and unstable. More than 1,000 large, dead or diseased trees along this 3-mile stretch of the Via Gellia need to be removed to prevent the risk of them falling into the road and posing a danger to road users.
The work is expected to be complete by 28 February, including a short-term closure of the road from Cromford to Bonsall towards the end of February. Signed diversions will be in place when the road is closed via A6 Matlock Bath, A6 Matlock, A6 Darley Dale, A6 Bakewell, A6 Taddington, A6 Blackwell, A5270, A515 Newhaven, A5012 to Grangemill and vice versa.
Councillor Charlotte Hill, Cabinet Member for Potholes, Highways and Transport, said:
“Felling diseased ash trees by the roadside is a priority for safety reasons and we ask for the public’s understanding while we carry out this vital work.
“We apologise for traffic disruption and road closures but public safety must come first.
“Declining ash trees can pose a danger to people and property. Recent storms and high winds resulted in some diseased trees falling into the road which is why we have accelerated our programme to remove them.
“We’ll work to complete the work as quickly as possible and we’ll do all we can to minimise disruption to road users and local businesses.”
Ash dieback is a relatively new disease that has spread very quickly and is now present in most parts of the United Kingdom.
Ash is currently the second most common tree found in Derbyshire and ash dieback is already widespread across the county. It’s expected to infect between 50% and 90% of the ash tree population over the next 10 to 20 years.
Councillor Carol Wood, Cabinet Member for Net Zero and Environment, added:
“We have a robust plan in place to remove diseased trees on council property through surveys to identify high risk trees, monitoring or removing them depending on their surroundings, and either allowing the natural regeneration of new trees or replanting either on site or elsewhere to restore the Derbyshire treescape.
“We’re making good progress in tackling diseased trees on our own land but there is still work to do.
“We won’t remove any trees unnecessarily. We want to retain trees if they have immunity to the disease and can help new disease-resistant trees get established.
“Private landowners are reminded that trees on their property are their responsibility and they should monitor ash trees for symptoms of ash dieback.
“If we’re aware of trees on private property causing a risk to public safety on a road or public path, we’ll ask the landowner to remove them and if action isn’t taken, we may remove them ourselves and reclaim the cost from the landowner.”
Landowners who suspect ash dieback on their property should consult a tree professional and beware of rogue traders. Reputable tree surgeons can be found through our Trusted Trader scheme. Or check out the Arboricultural Association approved list of contractors and get several quotes.
Find more information on ash dieback management.
Anyone who spots a tree while out and about and is concerned about its safety can report it via email ashdieback@derbyshire.gov.uk – especially those that are adjacent to highways, on public rights of way or in high traffic areas of parks.