Kent County Council (KCC) says the potential of falling branches poses “a danger of death or serious injury” along the 900m stretch between Moncktons Lane and Dickens Road on the Medway towpath in Maidstone .

Visual inspections indicate at least 100 have developed ash dieback - a serious disease caused by a fungus that threatens the UK’s forests. But as many as 200 may be affected.

The path was blocked off on Thursday and is set to remain closed for at least 21 days.

Ian Chittenden (Lib Dem), KCC councillor for Maidstone North East, says further assessments are due to take place before any work can be carried out.

He added: “Some trees were leaning over the path quite a way and because of the risk, the whole area has had to be closed off.

“The difficulty is we’re in the season of nesting so there’s lots of birds in the trees and also bats roosting, so the work is likely to be delayed.

“The next step is to identify exactly what work needs to be done, whether it’s 200 trees that have to come down or whether it’s just some of them. Some are on private property so that adds additional problems.”

It will be up to the private landowners to decide whether the trees will be replaced.

Beverley Henderson, manager of Fords Wharf Boat Yard on the opposite side of the Medway believes the loss of trees could affect the tranquillity of the area.

The 59-year-old said: “That’s virtually all the trees. I’m very shocked and saddened.

“We’ll be able to see houses across the river - it will totally ruin the view we’ve had for 28 years.

“It could affect our business. The whole point of people coming down is because it’s quiet and you are in nature.

“It will change the whole ethos of the river.”

Mrs Henderson added: “This footpath has been absolutely chock-a-block recently, so I don’t think people will take any notice of the closure. As soon as the sun comes back it will be full up.

Usually the council would advocate leaving trees affected by ash dieback to see if they can recover, but in this instance, KCC says the health and safety of tow-path users has to come first. The authority insists only trees which pose a danger will be removed, however.

But Steve Cheeseman of Maidstone’s Green Party disputed there was a safety issue. He said: “Ash trees can recover from chalara and while they may need pruning if branches are weakened and present a danger, obviously the destruction of 200 trees would be a draconian way of dealing with this disease.

“The destruction of this beautiful woodland would also make it easier for developers to build on the land.

“We have written to KCC asking where it obtained its advice from and to reopen the tow-path river urgently.”

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