The Axbridge Bypass will be closed for 13 days from today (January 25) so dangerous trees infected by ash dieback disease can be removed.

The A371 will be shut for 24 hours a day between the junction with Cross Lane at Axbridge and the junction with the A38.

The closure will be in place until February 6 and will enable H-Line Contractors SW Ltd to carry out the felling of trees infected with ash dieback which pose an immediate danger to road users.

A diversion will send traffic along the A38 and Cross Lane, but temporary traffic lights are also scheduled to be in place on the A38 diversion route so BT can undertake cabling, gully-sucking and desilting works.

First discovered in the UK in 2012, ash dieback is a fungal disease affecting ash trees. The disease is now present in all counties of England.

Experience in Europe suggests that the majority of ash trees in woodlands infected with the disease will decline and die.

Back in November and December, the road through Cheddar Gorge had to be closed for tree safety works caused by the disease, while the car park at King's Wood near Winscombe had to be shut in December for the same reason.