Why the trees on Wadebridge’s Egloshayle Road are being cut back

Anyone who walks or drives along Egloshayle Road will soon see a lot more daylight between the branches.

Wadebridge Town Council has given notice that tree maintenance works will take place along the road over the coming weeks. Two jobs are planned. The lower branches will be lifted clear of the road, and some of the bigger trees will be pollarded.

The work is part of the council’s ongoing Tree Management Plan. The council says the plan’s aim is to keep trees across Wadebridge maintained safely, responsibly and sustainably.

Crown raising for highway safety

Crown raising means taking off some of a tree’s lower branches so there’s enough clearance above roads and pavements.

This part of the work follows a request from Cornwall Council Highways. It’s meant to stop the trees getting in the way of vehicles or pedestrians, and to keep the required highway clearances in place.

The town council calls it an important safety measure. It says the work will reduce the risk of accidents and keep Egloshayle Road safe for everyone using it.

Pollarding for the long term

Pollarding is the bigger change. It’s an established technique where the upper branches are removed from time to time to control how large a tree grows.

When it’s done properly, the council says pollarding:

• Helps manage the size and shape of mature trees
• Reduces the weight and spread of branches, which helps manage potential risks
• Encourages controlled regrowth and supports long-term tree management
• Reduces potential conflicts with nearby roads, buildings and other infrastructure
• Helps keep established trees in the local landscape so they don’t need to be removed

What to expect

There may be some temporary disruption for residents and road users while the work is under way. Safety measures will be put in place where needed.

The council says it will try to keep disruption to a minimum and has thanked residents for their patience. It hasn’t given a start date beyond “the coming weeks”.

Where the work is happening

The works cover the stretch of Egloshayle Road marked in red on the council’s map below. That includes the boundary beside Egloshayle Playing Fields and the recreational facilities around them.

📷The area of Egloshayle Road where tree works will take place, marked in red. Credit: Wadebridge Town Council