A6 to close for a week as trees pose risk to public

The A6 will close from 06:00 GMT on Sunday due to trees posing a risk to the public

A major route will be closed for a week amid concerns trees could fall into the road.

The A6 will be shut from Sunday just after the junction at Cromford in Derbyshire heading towards Matlock Bath, from 06:00 GMT, and a diversion route will be in operation, the county council confirmed.

A spokesperson for the authority said about 100 trees on a sloping plot of land next to the roadside pose an "unacceptable" safety risk.

They added: "Please accept our apologies for the issues that we know this will cause. We must put public safety first at all times."

According to the council, there are a number of ash trees affected by ash dieback on the route, alongside dead elms, and other trees which are leaning and posing a risk.

The spokesperson added: "It is highly likely given recent weather that more trees could come down imminently."

There will also be "significant disruption to bus services", with discussions ongoing to find alternative arrangements, the spokesperson added.

School transport will also be affected, with the council "working on plans for this".

The announcement has come after a number of roads in Derbyshire were closed due to Storm Claudia, which has caused flooding in a number of areas.