TREES in Abergavenny's Bailey park are to be cut down due to council concerns over safety.

From Sunday, October 31, contractors employed by Monmouthshire County Council’s Grounds and Cleansing department will be undertaking tree-felling work in the park.

Due to safety concerns, following reports of lorries knocking branches down into the road and structural weaknesses in the trees identified during safety inspections, the conifer trees (between Hereford Road and Morrisons’ car park) will be removed.

The work is anticipated to last for four to five days.

The council say contractors will be working into the night to complete the work as swiftly as possible.

In order to minimise the impact on traffic, there will be a night closure of the A40 alongside Morrisons, from the junction with the Hereford Road to the entrance of Morrisons’ car park.

The closure will be from 8pm to 6am over a three-night period from Monday, November 1, when the trees nearest the road will be felled.

An extra night may be required if work should take longer than anticipated due to unforeseen circumstances.

Letters are being sent to all residents in the Bailey Park area of Abergavenny notifying them of the work, which will require flood lights for the night working period.

A processing area will be temporarily set up in the lower part of Bailey Park car park and the equipment that will generate the most noise will be used in daytime hours.

The works will also include the trimming of other trees within the park to improve their long-term strength and health, while working within the existing Tree Protection Orders. 

Abergavenny Town Council, Morrisons (which operates opposite the park), The Friends of Bailey Park and the local Environmental Committee and South Wales Trunk Road Agency have all supported the planned works, which are taking place following an ecological survey and bat survey of the site.

Monmouthshire County Council has put in a funding bid to Welsh Government for a programme of tree planting to offset the loss of the conifer trees. 

New trees will include native and ornamental species appropriate to the historic setting of the park.

The funding application also includes a detailed assessment and management plan for the remaining trees, a plan to improve the brook running through the park and wild flower planting.

Cllr Jane Pratt, cabinet member for Infrastructure and Neighbourhood Services said: “While this work is inevitably going to cause some disruption and noise in the area, the work has been planned to be as mindful as possible of the residents living in proximity to Bailey Park.

"The contractors are also working to minimise disruption on this busy through route in Abergavenny by working day and night.

"This will be a challenging undertaking, addressing the needs of local residents, day-time road users and the safety of the contractors working at night.

"Postponing these works is not an option, due to health and safety concerns and the fast-approaching winter months.

"It is our expectation that disruption will be kept to a minimum and works will be completed as swiftly as possible.

"I also hope that we are able to receive confirmation of funding for tree planting within Bailey Park in due course.”

There will be a 24-hour response line for any residents who encounter any issues or need to report any problems during the works – 01633 644644