Utility firm fells lakeside trees

Some of the tree felling work will be carried out at night

A utility company is to fell thousands of trees in the Lake District and return native species to the area.

The conifer forest surrounding Thirlmere was developed when the valley was flooded a century ago to provide a water supply for Manchester.

United Utilities wants to replace them with native trees, but first there will be a three-year felling programme.

Conservationists have welcomed the move, which will also open up views across the lake.

An extensive area of new native woodland will be established mainly by encouraging natural regeneration.

'Righting a wrong'

Much of the work will be technically difficult because land around the lake is steep and inaccessible to standard forestry machinery.

It is expected to cause some disruption to the nearby A591, so some of the work will be done at night, using specialist lighting and machinery to extract the timber for collection by lorries.

Paul Clavey, United Utilities Thirlmere-based woodland officer, said: "In effect we are putting right what, with modern hindsight, was done wrong last century.

"We will be doing all we can to prevent delays and inconvenience, but we apologise in advance for any that does have to be caused."