A swathe of Broadwater Wood has been cleared as part of United Utilities ongoing improvements to the wasterwater network.

Trees have been felled on land to the east side of the wood, off Copse Road and Amounderness Way close to the public bridleway that runs alongside.

Tree trunks have been cut and logs stacked on the land but it seems many of the tree stumps have remained in place.

It’s part of United Utilities survey work ahead of a major upgrade to improve the wastewater network from Fleetwood Wastewater Treatment Works to the promenade off Westway.

The proposed scheme is to replace the existing Fleetwood outfall pipe as part of an ongoing programme to enhance the system, long term.

United Utilities say the initial works involve ground investigations and will help inform them of the design and route. The investigations include non-intrusive surveys, boreholes and vegetation clearance.

Simon Holding who heads up wastewater treatment services for United Utilities in Lancashire said ahead of the works: “We’re developing plans to introduce a major new pipeline to take treated wastewater from our treatment works at Fleetwood out to the promenade where it will connect into the existing outfall pipe.

“Across the North West we are investing more than £13 billion to build new infrastructure, improve water quality, replace pipelines, and enhance more than 500km of rivers and bathing waters. This project will play an important role in increasing the resilience of the wastewater network in the area.”

The utility company said that before the project began it would be necessary to carry out surveys and investigations including assessing the local environment and ecology, confirming ground conditions, and identifying the location of other utility infrastructure.

Broadwater Wood is one of Fleetwood’s last remaining woodland areas. It a 3.4 hectare space and is not accessible to the public. However it has considerable biodiversity value and in spring features a stunning carpet of woodland flora.

Work is also affecting land to the east side of Cardinal Allen RC High School field.

Wyre Borough Council has been approached for a comment.