WORK to remove fencing installed to protect motorists during the felling of unstable conifer trees will begin later this month. 

National Resource Wales (NRW) chiefs have confirmed the catchfence above the A487 at Ceinws near Machynlleth, in Powys, will be taken down between January 20 and February 14. 

It is the final stage of a three-year project to fell the unstable trees that grew there previously and replace them with 35,000 native broadleaf trees, which have now been planted in their place. 

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Tree species such as sessile oak, hawthorn, rowan and downy birch will make the area a haven for insects, birds and small mammals such as dormice, NRW chiefs say. This new habitat will link up with other wildlife habitats in the Dulas Valley.

While no replanting has taken place on the steepest sections of embankment, heather and bilberry will be free to grow. This will further improve local biodiversity and will stabilise the hillside further in the future.

Jared Gethin, NRW project manager said: “After surveying the hillside, we are satisfied that it is safe to remove the catchfence. The new trees and vegetation have taken well and will help stabilise the ground further in the future.

“Residents and commuters in the area will remember that the work to stabilise the hillside needed traffic management to install the catchfence in advance of the felling works back in 2018. A similar arrangement will be needed to remove the catchfence, and we are hopeful that the work will be done in a timely manner to keep disruption to a minimum.

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“This is the final step in the Bont Evans Tree Works and Stabilisation project. It has taken four and a half years to complete, and I would like to thank the local community and the community council for their support and understanding during this process.”