A survey of Ash dieback affecting trees lining roads across north and West Cumbria is being continued by Cumberland Council.
Cumberland Council said it was carrying out survey work in the southern part of its area, which includes urban roads, the A5086 and council-managed sections of the A595.
People may notice survey vehicles travelling along roads throughout the area while inspections are carried out.
Following tree surveys across the road network, several trees have been identified that require further inspection, maintenance or removal.
The authority said that while many trees could be monitored or managed through maintenance, some had deteriorated to the point where they posed an immediate risk to the highway network and the public.
Where hazardous trees are located on private land, the authority will continue to work with landowners, parish councils and town councils to address the risks, it added.
Letters will be issued to affected landowners, and formal notices under Section 154 of the Highways Act 1980 may be served where a tree is considered to present an immediate danger to road users.
Cumberland Council said that ash dieback affected trees and was recognised as the most significant tree disease to affect the UK since Dutch Elm Disease.
It added that a significant proportion of the UK’s Ash tree population was predicted to be affected over the coming years, resulting in extensive tree management and removal programmes.
The authority said that trees affected by the disease could become brittle and unstable, with branches or entire trees capable of failing without warning.
It added that the disease presented a serious safety risk to road users, pedestrians, property and the operatives tasked with carrying out the work.
Cumberland Council said that tree removal was always a last resort but was a preventative measure to reduce risk to road users.
It added that trees would only be removed when they were dead, dying, diseased or presented an unacceptable safety risk, and that alternative management options would be considered first.
