• Tree felling on the A85 between Crieff and Loch Earn starts on Monday 3 February

• Road closure with hourly amnesties

BEAR Scotland, operating on behalf of Transport Scotland, is carrying out essential landscape works to remove potentially hazardous trees affected by ash dieback on the A85 between Crieff and the shores of Loch Earn.

The scheme will be carried out in three phases from the evening of Monday 3 February and is due to be completed by the morning of Saturday 15 February with works taking place between 7pm and 6am each night, including weekends.

A full overnight road closure will be in place for the safety of workers and road users. Short amnesty periods will be provided hourly at 8pm, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm, midnight, 1am, 2am, 3am, 4am and 5am. Drivers are encouraged to arrive in good time if wishing to take advantage of an amnesty period.

Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times.

Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s NW Representative said: “Following an area-wide review of the A85 between Crieff and Loch Earn, we are removing any trees that have been identified as posing a risk to the trunk road and its users.

“It is essential that we put safety measures in place, including closing the road overnight, while we remove potentially hazardous trees. We have planned the works to take place at night when traffic flows are lower to reduce the impact on the travelling public.

“The nature of the works will result in an increase in noise levels and we apologise in advance for the inconvenience this may cause. We thank road users and the local community for their patience and understanding.”

All works are weather dependent and subject to postponement in the event of adverse conditions.

For more information on Transport Scotland and BEAR Scotland’s ash dieback management plan, visit https://www.bearscot.com/about-bear/major-projects/ash-dieback-action-plan/.

Real time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland at www.traffic.gov.scot, or on X at @trafficscotland.