Timber! Tree felling operation under way in Wick
A TREE-felling operation at Wick's Station Road will see a neglected area brightened up, according to local councillors.
Vehicles are being ushered down one side of the road by a traffic management system and, though the primary aim is to accommodate wind farm vehicles manoeuvring along the street, local Highland councillors and community groups are looking forward to a general refurbishment of the adjacent riverside area.
Caithness civic leader Willie Mackay said: "Having walked the site with fellow Wick councillor Raymond Bremner, I was impressed with the professional and sensitive approach to the tree-felling by the contractors in arranging to cut mature trees and overhanging branches.
The aim is to give the wind turbine blades clearance when making their way from Wick harbour to Halsary Wind Farm on the A9 at the Causewaymire.
The civic leader went on to say how delighted he was with talks taking place that will see "this beautiful part of the town" enhanced.
A Highland Council spokesperson confirmed that the tree-felling "is for a wind farm to negotiate the tight bend".
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4 / 4"The work is being done by a third party contractor working for the wind farm and there are no council workmen on this site," she added.
Wick and East Caithness councillor Nicola Sinclair said: "Some of the trees growing near the roadside needed to be removed to make room for larger vehicles, such as those transporting wind turbines, coming round the bend.
"We have been working with ScottishPower and Scottish Woodlands to ensure that these works actually improve the riverside area at the same time as providing improved access for passing vehicles.
Councillor Sinclair said that local members, council officers and community groups, such as Wick Paths Group and Wick Riverside Volunteers, have attended site visits and "identified additional works" that the team could carry out at the same time as the tree-felling.
"With advice from Highland Tree Doctors – who carried out ecological surveys – we have asked for dead and diseased trees to be removed and the overall tree canopy to be thinned.
"This will allow more light through to a very neglected and dark area, which will make it more pleasant and allow for planting under the canopy. We’re also discussing the opportunity to renovate the fountain and generally tidy up and improve the river environment."
The fountain beside Wick River was presented to the people of Wick in 1906 by the ex-provost W Paterson Smith.
After falling into disrepair, it was reopened in October 2005 after refurbishment and the addition of floodlighting for use in the evening.
The former Wick Town Improvements Association had raised the necessary money from gala events and funding applications to the National Lottery as well as help from the Co-op and Highland Council.
At that time, the group looked into a project to light up Wick Bridge, improve the paths network on the riverside and do work on the river's islands.
The fountain, however, has ceased to operate for years and is in a poor state again.