No word – after two weeks – on Duchess Wood reopening

The chair of the Duchess Wood local nature reserve committee has said that a final report on the condition of the woodland, which is managed by Argyll and Bute Council, has still to be received.

And Councillor Lorna Douglas has confirmed that those involved in the facility’s management were “taken aback” when the local authority announced its closure to the public on Tuesday, June 18.

The decision was made after a report by an external agency prompted the closure by the authority in the interests of public safety.

Councillor Douglas said: “It is still a draft report and not a final one. They are hopeful that will be forthcoming as soon as possible.

“It has been somebody else compiling the report, not the council, so they must wait for the final report.

“The draft raised some issues which they are now having to look into. Hopefully by the end of this week or next week, they will have a clearer idea.

“Part of it is because it is a local nature reserve, an agreement which comes to an end next year.

“We had known that a survey was being carried out. It is part of management practice as it is coming to the end of the 10-year agreement.

“What has taken everybody aback is that it was closed. It has shocked everybody. There are a lot of wildlife issues in the wood.

“There is a concern around the lack of transparency, but there was no time for a public consultation because they had to close the wood.

“But we cannot really go against the findings of the report. There are things that have to be taken into account.”

After the wood’s closure was announced, the Friends of Duchess Wood announced that it could be “some time” before it re-opens.

It was also understood by the Friends that there was concern over some trees hanging over paths and the car park.

A council statement at the time of the closure said: “In order to ensure public safety, a decision has been made to close Duchess Wood in Helensburgh until further notice.

“Part of the on-going management and maintenance of Duchess Wood includes undertaking a survey of the condition of the woodland.

“Unfortunately, the most recent survey has highlighted a number of safety issues which need to be addressed, including urgent remedial works to trees.

“We have therefore been advised it is necessary to close the woodland whilst necessary works are completed. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”