A £160,000 project to revamp Kinneil Estate in Bo’ness is getting underway.
Large areas of woodland will be felled. Areas of trees will also be thinned and cleared – and 25,000 new trees planted. Deer fencing will also be installed to protect young trees.
The move will mean some areas of the estate will become “no go areas” whilst work is carried out until March 2015. Parking near Kinneil Woods will also be restricted.
Falkirk Community Trust – which manages the site for Falkirk Council – has issued advice for regular users and local residents. We’ve republished it on this website.
Walkers following the John Muir Way can also follow a diversion (see PDF map here)
The works are part a long-term forest plan to conserve and enhance the area for generations to come.
The project has been developed on behalf of Falkirk Community Trust by the Central Scotland Green Network Trust (CSGNT) in partnership with Falkirk Council, Falkirk Environment Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Inner Forth Landscape Initiative.
Alan Rodger, from Falkirk Environment Trust said: “This project will ensure the long-term future of the woods, while also improving visitor safety as well as ensuring a future home for all the wildlife that inhabit the woodland.”
Simon Rennie, Chief Executive of CSGNT, said: “The Kinneil Estate is important culturally, recreationally and locally and contains a large area of coniferous woodland, mostly planted between 1929 and 1949, which is at risk of blowing over.
“This sustainable management project will allow us to navigate the process of change in the mature woodland area as the trees reach the end of their natural life cycle, to ensure the historic landscape is secured for the future, as well as boosting biodiversity and safety.”
Claire Mennim, Team Leader for Parks and Sustainability at Falkirk Community Trust, said: “We really appreciate the support of residents and visitors to the site whilst this project is carried out, the short term disruptions will be greatly outweighed by the recreational and environmental benefits secured for the future as the woodland is made safe and brought back to health.”
Path diversions will be in place while forest operations are underway for safety. In line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, visitors to the site are urged to exercise their access rights responsibly and follow instructions and safety signage. Information will also be made available for other local areas that people may wish to visit during the period of works.
The car park off Provost Road will be closed and Falkirk Community Trust will provide alternative car parking on the grass area at the west end of the road leading to Kinneil House. There may also be noise disruption caused by the works.
For further information about the Kinneil Woods project please contact Claire Mennim at Falkirk Community Trust, email: Claire.Mennim@falkirkcommunitytrust.org
Kinneil 