WEST Devon councillors have agreed to spend £10,000 on the Viaduct Walk in Tavistock to prevent it being closed in the future for health and safety reasons.
Funding over a three-year-period was approved by the council?s policy and resources committee this week to thin out potentially hazardous trees which may fall onto the pathway and also to enhance the environment to benefit wildlife.
The area is considered to be a valuable amenity within Tavistock and it is well used by both locals and visitors. It forms part of the National Cycle Route and is also featured in tourism brochures.
The borough council-owned site was designated a local nature reserve in 1996 and is primarily managed to enhance wildlife and public interest but with much of the tree stock reaching maturity, there are health and safety concerns. There had also been some complaints from neighbouring properties.
Councillors were told that minimal work on the trees had taken place over the years and the soil on the top of Viaduct Walk was now less able to support the number and size of the maturing trees.
A management plan over three years would ensure that diverse ecological habitats would adapt to the change.