Motorists are being warned of a road closure today to make way for the felling of trees in Bolton.

A number of trees have been found to be diseased and need to bed axed in Queens Park.

It is the latest discovery of ash dieback affecting trees in and around Bolton.

And the council has closed a lane on Park Road and set up temporary traffic lights to allow it to carry out the work.

The Bolton News:

(Picture by Henry Liswoski)

The road is expected to be closed between 9am and 2pm.

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A Bolton Council spokesperson insisted that no healthy trees would be removed.

He said: "Please be aware that contractors will be carrying out planned removal of diseased ash trees in Queens Park this Sunday.

The Bolton News:

(Picture by Henry Lisowski)

"This is due to ash dieback, which has unfortunately made these large trees unsafe for the public. No healthy trees will be removed.

"The work should take about four to five hours and will require the closure of one lane on Park Road and the installation of temporary traffic lights between 9am and approximately 2pm.

"Thank you for your cooperation and we apologies for any inconvenience."

Ash dieback is a highly destructive fungal tree disease that causes leaf loss, dead branches, and canopy decline. 

Almost a quarter of trees in the grounds of Bolton Parish Church had to be felled in 2020after contracting the deadly fungus.