Essential safety works are likely to see trees along part of a popular Isle of Wight cycleway, chopped down.

The Isle of Wight Council has identified around 60 trees infected with Ash dieback disease on the Newport to Cowes cycleway.

Many of them can be made safe by the removal of branches or other minor works, but some will need to be removed, the council has said.

The works are due to start on September 4, 2023 and are expected to last around three weeks.

The cycle path between Stag Lane and Arctic Road will be closed throughout the week (Monday-Friday) to ensure they can be carried out as swiftly and as safely as possible.

The council aims to have the cycle path open every weekend during the works, with clear signage at either end of the working areas advising of the closure.

The woodland will be allowed to naturally regenerate following the forestry works. This is likely to mean that the canopy will fill in with Oak, Sycamore, Aspen, and Field Maple.

A council spokesperson said: "Our trees are regularly assessed by competent tree experts, and sometimes this means we need to do work to keep them safe for everybody.

"Due to the number of trees involved, their locations, and the desire to get the work done as quickly and efficiently as possible to reduce closure time, we have decided to close the affected section between Stag Lane and Arctic Road during the week for everyone's safety."

Ash dieback is the most damaging tree disease since Dutch elm.