Public woodlands in North Wales are closed to visitors due to safety concerns following the widespread damage caused by Storm Darragh.
Individuals planning to enjoy some fresh air over Christmas are advised to avoid public woodlands due to safety concerns . The aftermath of Storm Darragh has left many trees in North Wales unstable, and visitors may encounter hazards from forestry machinery used in the clean-up efforts.
The storm, which brought gusts exceeding 90 mph to numerous areas two weeks ago, caused widespread destruction, felling thousands of trees and obstructing numerous forest roads, walking trails, and mountain bike routes. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is still assessing the full extent of the damage, but with many trails remaining blocked and car parks potentially closed for timber recovery, the environment body is urging people to avoid its forests and nature reserves during the festive period. According to Gavin Bown, NRW's head of operations in Mid Wales, the storm inflicted a 'significant toll' on Wales' forests, and the road to recovery will be lengthy. He stated: 'We understand that people will be eager to spend time outdoors during the holidays. However, as we continue to evaluate the damage to the land under our care and work to clear trails, we request that individuals refrain from visiting our forests and reserves.' 'Our aim is to restore our woodlands to their normal state as quickly as possible, but safety remains our paramount concern, and the danger posed by falling trees or branches remains substantial. Moreover, contractors will be operating heavy machinery in many of our forests as part of the clean-up operation, further elevating the risks to the public.' Initial warnings for visitors to 'be cautious of the risk of falling trees or branches' have been withdrawn as the severity of the damage has become evident, reports North Wales Live. All recreational users, including walkers, mountain bikers, and horse riders, are now advised to stay away. The NRW is now focusing on private landowners who have dangerous trees on their properties
STORM DAMAGE SAFETY CONCERNS FORESTRY NATURAL RESOURCES WALES
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