Road due to close for tree inspections

An emergency road closure would be in place on the A5012 between Bonsall and Grangemill, Derbyshire County Council said

A section of the Via Gellia road in Derbyshire is due to close to traffic for four hours on Tuesday so trees can be identified for removal.

Derbyshire County Council said an emergency road closure would be in place on the A5012 between the junction with Bonsall and Grangemill from 10:00 GMT to 14:00 so inspectors could assess trees for ash dieback disease on private land in the area.

The fungal disease affects ash trees, spreading through their branches until the whole tree eventually dies.

Traffic will be diverted at Newhaven and Cromford via a signed diversion while the road closures are in place, the council said.

The authority added the inspection was being carried out in advance of a road closure from 5 January to 28 February 2026 to remove unstable trees from roadside verges and banks along the stretch of road.

Charlotte Hill, cabinet member for potholes, highways and transport, said: "We apologise for any inconvenience which may be caused while the Via Gellia is closed for a short time tomorrow to allow tree inspectors to identify trees for removal.

"This is essential work to plan the safe removal of diseased trees from the roadside in the new year so please bear with us as public safety must come first."

Carol Wood, cabinet member for net zero and environment, added ash dieback disease was having a "significant impact" on the landscape in Derbyshire and urged landowners to carry out regular inspections on their trees.