Kielder Water and Forest Park storm Arwen recovery update

Kielder Water and Forest Park

On 26 November 2021, the north of England experienced significant northerly winds leading to storm damage which affected trees, buildings and other infrastructure. Storm Malik and storm Corrie over weekend 29/30 January 2022 has led to more trees falling over and slowing down the recovery process.

Forestry England’s first priority in the aftermath of the storm was to help the rural communities cut off from power such as in Kielder Forest, where staff worked with other agencies including the power company, to clear fallen and unstable trees from power lines, access roads and main paths.

Good progress continues storm recovery work across Northumberland’s forests.

We are still planning and implementing the safe and prompt removal of windblown trees across our forests and multiple sites, including our access trails.

The safe removal of windblown trees is a complex operation, requiring planning, machinery, and skilled operators and now we are getting into the more complex sites which takes longer.

 Thrunton Wood is taking longer to clear than estimated and Kidland Forest requires a long term recovery operation, possibly into 2024.

Storm damaged trees in many areas are still unstable and dangerous. We need to make trees safe, within two tree-lengths of all our trails. Unfortunately, this means some facilities remain closed.

We continue to ask that everyone stays on the main forest tracks in all the forests and always adhere to all information/ warning signs and barriers.

We continue to ask that everyone stays on the main forest tracks and always adhere to all information/ warning signs and barriers.

The table below highlights what those trails and areas still closed or diverted, please check this list before travelling to Kielder Water and Forest Park.

Kielder Castle Visitor Centre

Currently closed due to renovation works.

Status of forest walks