could possibly have an affect on the 7stanes biking trails in Dumfries and Galloway ..... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-44494674
The forests affected are popular with visitors and unfortunately this will mean that temporary diversions on walking and biking routes are likely.
Well quite... maybe its time that the forest centres consider whether a bike/boot wash for free is a better and more sustainable long term option than felling (if there's evidence we're carrying it in & out)?
Reminds me of driving through foot and mouth points and all my favourite trails being a no go area.
It is water borne so boot washes aren't going to cover all the bases. Felling and burning is the only effective control measure on top of keeping people and animals as far away from sites as possible.
Pretty sure felling is essential to manage it in a timely manner. Our surveyors have been doing the annual national helicopter survey the last few weeks, I thought it sounded like a sweet job but apparently a fair amount of vomiting is part of the deal...
http://data-forestry.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/tree-health-aerial-survey-gb-2012
Unfortunately mtb tyres are a perfect vector for spreading some tree diseases! Can you imagine the moaning threads on here if tyre/shoe washing became compulsory...
Felling about to start @Ae, lots of diseased trees spotted in Mabie
As for bike/boot washing there are far too many access points to the forests too be effective