Severn Trent Water, landowners of much of the path, roads and woodlands around Ladybower, Howden and Derwent reservoirs announce road closures from 12th September 2022. The closures are expected to last for approximately 3 months and will affect some popular Ladybower Reservoir walk routes
An announcement on the Peak District National Park Facebook page has detailed road and footpath closures around the western side of Derwent Reservoir and Howden Reservoirs. The closures stretch from Fairholmes, below the Derwent Dam, to a little south of King’s Tree.
Larch Tree Disease
The closures around Ladybower reservoir and the valley are due to works required to combat an outbreak of the Larch disease Phytophthora Ramorum which, if left unchecked, can cause widespread damage
Phytophthora Ramorum is a water mould disease, known to cause extensive damage to over 150 species of flora. The Peak District National Park announced that a number of woodland sites in the area are affected.
Describing the restrictions, a spokesperson for Severn Trent explained the necessity for road and footpath closures
“The works will require the use of mechanical harvesters and forwarders to fell, process, and remove the trees from the woodland, in some locations it will be necessary to have machinery operating from the road. During this time the landowner will need to close some footpaths and roads.”
Severn Trent Water
Ladybower Paths Closed – Details
The road closure stretches from the mini roundabout at the entrance to the Fairholmes Visitor Centre to the footpath for Alport Castles, just below the King’s Tree bus turning area. The working area also extends up much of the hillside west of Ladybower, Derwent and a section of Howden reservoirs. The areas closed include the “Tin Town” area of Birchinlee.
Severn Trent Water will close a number of walking and cycling routes in the area during the works. As a visitor, you will not be able to access some of the Alport Castles and Lockerbrook paths. Walkers will not be able to access some of the waymarked trails from Fairholmes for the duration of the work.
Ladybower Car Parking & Visitor Centre
The car park and visitor centre will remain open during the works. Visitors will remain able to walk around the Ladybower reservoir between Ashopton and Fairholmes.