Specialist work to prolong the life of the prominent giant London plane tree at Wootton Bridge will take place shortly, resulting in the closure of the main road.
It is intended that the work by Island Roads, on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council, will extend the life of the huge tree, which is at the entrance to Lakeside Park Hotel & Spa, for the foreseeable future.
Without work, the scope of which has been agreed through the council’s planning process, there is a real risk of branches or limbs breaking off from the tree, posing a safety danger to pedestrians and motorists below and threatening the health of the tree itself.
The council has been working with Island Roads to come up with a plan for the work that, as well as keeping road-users safe and the tree healthy, causes the least disruption to the community.
It has been confirmed that 2 nights have been set aside for the work: Monday 5th October and Tuesday 6th October. This is to allow for poor weather conditions, given the project will involve working at height and at night: the project cannot, for example, be undertaken in high winds. If conditions are good, it is, however, intended that the necessary work can be completed in a single night (Monday 5th).
It will be necessary to close the main road so work can be undertaken safely. The road will be closed between 19:30 and opened no later than 06:30.
The official diversion in place will be via Station Road, Briddlesford Road, the Downs, Ashey Road, Swanmore, Argyle Street, Binstead Road, Elenors Grove.
Southern Vectis will operate a half-hourly service between Ryde and Fishbourne Lane via Binstead Road, together with a half-hourly service between Newport and Wootton Cedars. Services to Wootton Cedars will run alternately via Staplers Road and Fairlee Road. Details will be available on the Southern Vectis website of these arrangements.
Access to The Tide Mill (The Sloop) will be maintained from the Ryde direction.
The project will involve general maintenance of the tree plus the reduction of a large bough that overhangs the entrance to the Lakeside and the main road through Wootton. This branch has become what is known in tree-management as ‘codominant’ which means it is becoming an equal size to the main trunk which creates a weak joint that can be dangerous. It is also growing at an acute angle to the main tree which further puts undue weight stress on the branch.
The local planning authority, who approved the required tree works application, said:
“The tree work prescribed is necessary to make the tree safer to the environment it is located within. It will make the tree safe to traffic passing under the crown and prevent and reduce the chance of branch failure in high winds as currently the way the tree has grown has caused weight stress and over extension.
“The work is general management of a healthy street tree enabling its retention and longevity.”
The details of the tree works application can be viewed here.
An Island Roads spokesman said:
“We are pleased to have worked with Groundsells and the council to agree a plan that enables the tree to remain in location safely for years to come.
“We’re also delighted we are able to call on a local company, Groundsells, who have the skill and expertise to be able to carry out this essential work at night which will minimise the impact work has on road users.”
