HUNDREDS of trees are to be removed from a park.

Work to remove trees infected with ash dieback disease in Stanmer Park is due to begin today and is expected to last two to three weeks.

The trees have been inspected and need to be removed due to their fragile and dangerous condition, Brighton and Hove City Council said.

Meanwhile, work to remove Ash trees in Ditchling Road started on April 19 and is expected to last three weeks.

“Sadly, we estimate that we’ll need to take down between 100 and 200 trees in each area,” a council spokesman said.

“We will be carrying out daily surveys while the tree work takes place to make sure any disturbance to wildlife in the area is kept to a minimum.”

The work further inside the park will be to remove Ash trees alongside the bridleway running from High Park Farm into the middle of the park. 

To ensure public safety and more efficient working, a stretch of the bridleway will be closed while the work is in progress. 

Diversions and traffic management will be in place throughout.

While there are relatively few Ash trees within more urban areas, around 20 per cent of all woodland trees in the city are ash trees.

With an estimated 75 to 80 per cent of Ash trees throughout the UK expected to die within the next five to ten years, woodlands will look very different as a result of Ash dieback infection, the council added.

Councillor Amy Heley, co-chairwoman of the council environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “Sadly when Ash trees have been infected with ash dieback, we have no alternative but to remove them.

“It’s very upsetting for everyone, but our tree experts are working alongside other specialists to inspect our ash trees and look out for the signs of ash dieback and any other diseases too.  

“When removing trees, we always ensure the effects are kept to an absolute minimum, especially when it comes to the natural habitats of our wildlife. 

“Although the disease is having a devastating impact within the city and throughout the country, we are positively regenerating areas through careful planning.”

The work is being licensed by East Sussex County Council, who are the authority covering public rights of way in this part of the park.