Gloucestershire Road Closure Extended for Additional Tree Felling Following Storm Darragh

An additional 40 trees are scheduled for felling on private property in Gloucestershire. This decision follows high winds during Storm Darragh, which caused 70 trees to fall onto a road. The A436, specifically the section between Notgrove and the A429 at Whiteshoots Hill, has remained closed since the storm on the weekend of 7 and 8 December, when the privately owned trees collapsed. While tree clearance has been underway during the road closure, residents can now reach their properties. Gloucestershire County Council announced that the road’s closure would extend “longer than anticipated” due to the necessity of felling additional trees. During Storm Darragh, Gloucestershire was primarily under a yellow wind warning. A red wind warning was issued for coastal Wales and Somerset, encompassing the adjacent Bristol Channel. An individual sustained injuries on the A436 while walking with his wife during the storm. The couple was vacationing in the vicinity at the time. The county council stated: “Following a safety check and in discussion with the landowner, it is clear that there are around 40 other trees alongside the road that will need to be felled to ensure the safety of road users and residents.” Resident access to the road will be maintained, and a full reopening is anticipated before Christmas. The county council plans to issue a further update next week. Meanwhile, non-residential traffic is being rerouted through the A40 and A429.