A420 in Wiltshire to close for 10 days for tree felling works

The A420 will shut from Giddeahall to Ford on Monday, March 20, and will remain closed until March 31, during the hours of 9.30am to 7pm.

Wiltshire Council say the work is necessary to remove around 90 trees that are infected with ash dieback, and therefore at risk of falling or shedding branches on the road.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, the cabinet member for transport, said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this essential safety work.

“With over 100,000 ash trees growing beside Wiltshire’s highways and a further 240,000 alongside public rights of way, the scale of the challenge is immense and work must be carried out as a priority, especially alongside busy high speed roads such as the A420.

Felled ash trees. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

“Unfortunately, ash dieback is killing and weakening all our ash trees, and while felling them isn’t a decision we take lightly, it’s something we must do to keep this road safe for all users.”

She added it will be planting a new native tree for each one that is felled.

The council hope to minimise disruption by encouraging landowners to incorporate their trees in the works and putting up signage indicating the diversion and the fact business remain open.