Popular woodland walks in Perth are set to undergo an autumn revamp as Dupplin Estate is to invest in improving accessibility.
Both Craigie Hill Community Woodland and Buckie Braes, on the southern fringe of the city, are to receive significant improvements over the coming months.
Dupplin Estate has been working in collaboration with South Perth Green Spaces Group to develop a plan for improvements at Craigie Hill Community Woodland.
Scottish Forestry have now signed off on the plans which will see the installation of new entrance gates, signs and way-markers as well as with picnic benches and seating.
One of the existing steep and often muddy paths will be formalised and upgraded to provide all weather access.
The largest part of the works, designed to improve the experience of the woodland, provide spaces to rest and observe the wildlife, will commence in the new year
Meanwhile at Buckie Braes, surveying has identified a significant number of trees which require works to maintain the safety of the popular walking route along the western boundary of the woodland.
Most of the existing of ash trees have succumbed to Ash Dieback disease, leaving dead branches in the canopy that could pose a risk of falling onto the footpath. This disease is progressing rapidly, leaving a number of trees which pose an immediate danger to users.
Where feasible, the intention is to heavily prune the trees rather than remove them and planning is well under way to carry out the required works. In order to maintain public safety until and during the works, the path will be temporarily closed.
Alexander Dewar of Dupplin Estate said: “The Craigie Hill Community Woodland and the Buckie Braes are popular woodland spaces in the south of Perth. The planned works are both necessary and hopefully will further improve people’s enjoyment of them.
“We carried out some woodland thinning in 2016 and the community was very supportive of that. We hope that people using the woodland will be similarly patient with any disruption that this phase of works will cause.”
Perth City South councillor Councillor Sheila McCole welcomed the work.
“I first raised the maintenance issues at Buckie Braes with Perth and Kinross Council in April 2018,” she said.
“The plans brought forward by Dupplin Estate, who own the land at Buckie Braes, to carry out essential remedial work is very welcome, and will be appreciated by everyone who uses this much-loved local amenity.
“I will continue to work with Dupplin Estate, Council Officers and Community Groups to ensure Buckie Braes remains a safe and pleasant green space for everyone to access and enjoy.”
