Caerphilly larch felling operations

Overview

Update 21/02/2024

Llanbradach

Felling operations have now restarted within this woodland to remove larch trees that are infected with Phytophthora ramorum.

Our contractors are currently working on the slopes above Colliery road.

For your safety, please make sure you adhere to any signage or track diversions that may be in place.

Thank you for your patience and co-operation whilst this work is carried out.

Westend

Felling operations have now restarted within this woodland to remove larch trees that are infected with Phytophthora ramorum.

Our contractors will be starting work in the northern area (marked on the map below) and working their way south.

Find out more about visiting our forests safely here

Update 12/04/2023 – Footpaths at Llanbradach woodland  

Whilst our felling operations at Llanbradach woodlands have been paused to allow for bird nesting season to finish and avoid risking disturbing nesting birds, we’ve been in close contact with the purchaser and contractor to discuss the possibilities of reinstating the temporary undesignated footpaths within the woodland over the summer.

Unfortutantley, due to timings and conservation restraints it has not been possible for us to do so on this occasion.

Although we don’t like to restrict access to areas of the woodland, which we know is enjoyed by many and valued by the local community, it’s important that we comply with environmental regulation and we are taking the necessary precautions, particularly for those species that need the most protection.

What areas of the woodland are accessible?

The majority of the woodland is legally open to the public and areas are passable with care.

Please note however, that the public right of way in the north of the woodland has been diverted to the forest road to avoid the quarry area.

This is marked on the diversion map below:

We would like to reassure you that we are monitoring the site regularly and as soon as we can, work will recommence at the site.

Once felling operations are complete,  a full reinstatement of the paths and tracks will be undertaken. We will keep you informed via this project page and our social media channels : @CyfNatCymDD

Thank you for your patience during this time.

Update 20/03/23

Llanbradach and Westend South:

Whilst we are pleased to be able say that the previous economic challenges, we faced within the timber market have now settled, we have now entered bird breeding season (March – August) and are unable to work the site, due to the risk of disturbing nesting birds.

Work is scheduled to begin in late July – August, depending on when the birds have fledged and left their nests.

Find out more about how we protect wild birds during forestry operations

Wylie South:

Please be aware there is still some timber stacks around the woodland from recent felling operations. We expect these to be removed from site within the next two months.

Please remember that timber stacks can be dangerous so for your safety, please do not climb on them.

Unfortunately, the purchaser who is contracted to complete the remaining felling work is currently unable to do so. Our forestry officers will be repackaging the timber left standing on site.

Forest planning for this woodland will start once the current contract has expired towards the end of the year. We  anticipate a  re-start date late in 2024/early 2025.

We will keep you updated via our project page and social media channels (@CyfNatCymDD) Thank you for your patience.

Forestry works update 30/09/2022

We’ve had to pause our forestry operations in Wylie, Westend south and Llanbradach woodlands until further notice, due to some current economic challenges in the timber market.

We remain in close contact with our contractors and purchasers, and are working hard to resolve these issues, so work can resume as soon as possible.

We’d like to reassure residents and visitors to the woodlands that the felling operations have not been forgotten, but unfortunately the work may take a little bit longer than originally anticipated.

We will keep you updated via our project page and social media channels (@CyfNatCymDD) Thank you for your patience.

Forest access

Wylie and Westend South

Footpaths and Public Rights of Way in both the Wylie and Westend south woodlands remain open to the public, but to ensure your safety and that of our contractors, please make sure you obey any diversions or operational signage that’s in place.

Llanbradach

Whilst we do not like to close off access to our forests and woodlands, which are enjoyed by many, unfortunately, we are currently unable to open the footpaths at Llanbradach due to health and safety issues and the site remains closed for now.

Map showing affected areas in West End 

Map showing affected areas in Llanbradach

Map showing affected areas in The Wyllie

Please note the colours on the map signify the areas of the coupe where will work take place within the woodland

Forest access

It is likely that we will have to close off public access to some areas of forestry while the work takes place. Live harvesting sites are incredibly dangerous, and this is necessary to protect the safety of our staff, our contractors and visitors to the woodland.

Please adhere to closures and diversion notices when they are in place.

Timber haulage

Haulage vehicles will need to regularly access the woodlands to remove harvested timber from the site. For sites which are close to communities, there will be a maximum of eight lorry-loads a day. In built up areas there will also be a further restriction on this activity to hours outside early mornings and evening rush hours.

View the haulage route for Llanbradach

View the haulage routes for West End and the Wyllie

Replanting

Once all the diseased larch has been removed, we plan to replant trees in the affected areas. This will include a diverse mix of species to help ensure our woodlands are more resilient to pests and disease in the future.

Map showing plans to restock in Llanbradach woodlands

Map showing plans to restock in West End woodlands

Map showing plans to restock in the Wyllie woodlands

Read our frequently asked questions about our felling operations.

Why your views matter

As we prepare to undertake this essential operation, we want to make sure people are aware of the planned work, understand why it’s happening and how it might impact them.

More information  

We will provide regular updates on this page about the work as the operations progress.  

Read our frequently asked questions about our felling operations.

What happens next

More information

We will provide regular updates on this page about the work as the operations progress.

Read our frequently asked questions about our felling operations.

If you have any queries please get in touch with us at :  SEForest.operations@naturalresources.wales