Somerset Council has announced plans to spend nearly £2.2 million over the next four years on maintaining and safeguarding the county’s trees, with a strong focus on tackling the devastating ash dieback disease.
In compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Highways Act 1980, the council is legally responsible for ensuring that trees under its care—such as those along public roads and in parks—do not pose unacceptable risks to the public.
To fulfill this obligation, the council has awarded a new four-year contract for essential maintenance and responsive tree work at an estimated annual cost of £675,000, totaling approximately £2,190,000 over the contract’s duration.
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A key component of this contract includes proactive measures to combat ash dieback, a fungal disease caused by the Chalara fungus, which has become widespread across Somerset. The disease causes a rapid decline and death in many ash trees, requiring significant intervention to limit its spread and mitigate risks associated with weakened trees.
Paul Sweetman, Somerset Council’s Service Manager for Highway Risk, explained, “We manage a large and varied stock of trees across highways, parks, schools, and other public lands. Our responsibilities include routine maintenance to preserve tree health, as well as urgent responses to storm damage and disease outbreaks.”
He added, “The extensive presence of ash dieback demands a proactive programme of selective felling and management to prevent tree failure hazards. The new framework contract secures specialist services, including mechanised tree felling using equipment like tree shears and grapple saws, alongside standard tree surgery operations.”
Ash dieback is a particular concern in the Quantock Hills area, where the National Landscape authority has recently sought public input on strategies to combat the disease as part of their new management plan.
The council has not disclosed the names of the contractors awarded the maintenance contract, citing commercial sensitivity. Sweetman noted that delivering these specialized services entirely in-house would be less cost-effective due to the high investment required for mechanised equipment and fluctuating service demands throughout the year. He stated, “Using external contractors provides the flexibility and expertise needed while also managing costs effectively for taxpayers.”