Temporary Closure of Circular Pathway at Wapley Bushes (Wapley Woods) Wednesday 17th December 2025
Dodington Parish Council has taken advice from health and safety consultants to close temporarily the circular permitted access pathway through Wapley Bushes (Wapley Woods), following storm damage by the recent Storm Claudia. A number of trees have fallen onto the pathway, prompting Dodington Parish Council to call in an arborist to conduct a detailed survey of the remaining trees directly adjacent to the circular path. The report highlighted 19 specimens needing urgent works, of which 10 were classed as ‘critical’. Due to the high risk presented by these trees, we have taken a sad decision that temporary closure of the permitted access pathway is necessary, until the trees can be made safe.
We are working actively to appoint a tree surgeon to carry out the necessary works to the critical trees, so that the pathway can be reopened as soon as possible. We know that the community loves and values the woodland, but we have a legal responsibility to make sure that visitors can enjoy it safely. All of the other footpaths around the site remain open, it is just the circular permitted access path in the Ancient Woodland that is closed. We will keep the closure as minimal as possible and will provide updates as things move forward.
