WHW - Drymen - Balamaha -section closed

[Peatdown]

WHW is currently closed at NS 455 914 towards Conic Hill. The route from Drymen / Garadhban is still open downhill to Balmaha via Milton of Buchanan (B837). The problem is tree disease.

[Colin1951]

Bit strange this. It’s spread via wind blown rain & it doesn’t seem to be affected by footfall.

More National Park restrictions-at-the-drop-of-a-hat?

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/tree-pests-and-diseases/key-tree-pests-and-diseases/phytophthora-ramorum/

[Skyelines]

Bit strange this. It’s spread via wind blown rain & it doesn’t seem to be affected by footfall./

This is an extract from Forest Resarch https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/fthr/pest-and-disease-resources/ramorum-disease-phytophthora-ramorum/

"Spread
P. ramorum spores can be spread over several miles in mists, air currents, watercourses and rain splash. It can also be spread on footwear, dogs' paws, tools, equipment, and vehicle wheels, including bicycle and mountain-bike wheels."

[Skyelines]

Also from the above reference at Forest Research.

"Preventing and minimising spread
The public
Visitors to woods, forests, parks and public gardens can help to minimise the spread of ramorum disease and other plant diseases. They can do this by brushing soil, mud and leaf debris off their footwear and wheels - including the wheels of cars, bicycles, mountain bikes, baby buggies and wheelchairs - before leaving the site. They should then wash these items at home before visiting another similar site.

Many mountain-biking trails are sited in larch forests, and we strongly encourage mountain-bikers, before they leave, to use the on-site washdown facilities available at many trail centres. If you do arrive with a dirty bike, please use the washdown facility before entering the forest.

Where possible, park motor vehicles on hard-standing, such as tarmac, concrete or gravel, rather than on grassed surfaces when visiting such sites."