Project Details
Description
BEAR Scotland has been commissioned by Transport Scotland to undertake the felling of larch (Larix spp.) trees infected by ramorum disease (Phytophthora ramorum) along a 340m section of the A82 trunk road.
A Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN) has been issued by Scottish Forestry for a 1.8ha area of woodland affected by ramorum disease, with the objective of preventing further spread into adjacent woodland.
The works will be undertaken in two phases:
- Phase 1 is programmed for completion in Financial Year 2025/26 and will involve clear felling along the northbound (NB) side of the A82. This phase is expected to take up to three nights to complete and will be carried out using a nighttime working pattern (19:00 - 06:00).
- Phase 2 is programmed for Financial Year 2026/27 and will involve the felling of approximately 120 trees along the southbound (SB) side of the A82 and approximately 1,400 trees along the NB side. This phase is expected to take up to two weeks to complete and will be carried out using a nighttime working pattern (19:00 - 06:00).
All trees within the SPHN area, including those not infected by ramorum disease, are expected to be removed due to the density of the woodland, which makes retention of non-larch trees impracticable. In total, approximately 18,000m² of vegetation will be removed.
The programme is subject to change, with the SPHN remaining valid until 31 August 2026.
Traffic management (TM) will comprise a full closure of the A82 with amnesties. Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times. Site access and plant storage areas will be located within the TM extents. Should the programme change, amendments to the TM arrangements may be required.
Location
The scheme is located on the periphery of the hamlet of Aldochlay approximately 2.5km south of Luss in the Argyll and Bute Council administrative area (Figure 1). The scheme has the following National Grid References (NGRs): NS 35782 90419 - NS 35750 89693.