Tree Damaged

Storm-Damaged Road Reopens After 110 Trees Cleared

A Gloucestershire road that was closed for over two weeks due to Storm Darragh has finally reopened after more than 100 trees were cleared. The A436 road, connecting Notgrove and the A429 at Whiteshoots Hill, was shut down on December 7 after 70 trees were knocked down by the storm. The damage forced the road closure, which initially was expected to last only a few days.

Additional Trees Felled for Safety

Upon further inspection by Gloucestershire County Council, an additional 40 trees along the road were found to be at risk, requiring removal to ensure safety. This meant the road remained closed longer than originally anticipated. After completing the clearing efforts, the road reopened at 3:30 PM GMT on Monday. The council expressed gratitude to residents for their patience during the extended closure.

Storm Darragh’s Devastating Impact

Storm Darragh, which struck the UK on December 7, brought intense winds, causing significant damage across the region. One of the most severe incidents occurred when a man was seriously injured by a falling tree while walking with his wife in Gloucestershire. The couple was vacationing in the area at the time.

During the storm, Gloucestershire was under a yellow wind warning, while coastal Somerset faced a red warning. Wind gusts reached over 90 mph (144 km/h) near the mouth of the River Severn, contributing to the damage. Drone footage shared by the council showed a shocking view of trees completely blocking the road and residents’ driveways.

One local resident described the scene, saying, “The trees came down like candles being knocked over.”

Source: BBC


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