AFTER receiving funding, Friends of Fullarton are now continuing with phase two of the drainage work with Fullarton Woods.

With having a week of success, including a £1715 donation from the local Co-Op and planting out 105 saplings, the local charity then went on to continue the improvement of the drainage within the towns woods.

This part of the project involved four volunteers giving up two days their time and hiring two large pieces of equipment to clear the main drainage channels.

The project was funded by the recent Troon Locality Decides event which allowed the local community to vote on their preferred projects.

Phase one was completed in May this year, which involved clearing the Darley Burn between Wilson Avenue and Dundonald Road resulting in the water levels within Fullarton Woods dropping by 12-18 inches.

Now, in phase two, FoF have cleared the main drainage channels within the woodland, with the digger clearing the channels of silt/sediment, plants and over 30 fallen trees.

Crawford Young, of Friends of Fullarton, said: “The need for this work was pretty evident as the waterlogging throughout the lower sections of the woods were killing off many trees as well as allowing windfall to occur due to softened root structures.

“We spent a considerable amount of time planning out the work and consulting with the relevant experts along with South Ayrshire Council.

“While Phase Two won’t solve the drainage problem, it is a step closer to solving it. The team are working along with a master’s student from Strathclyde University to carry out a hydrological survey of the woodland to allow a permanent solution to be devised.

“Replanting is desperately required to replace those trees lost by windfall and waterlogging.

“This replanting in the lower reaches of Fullarton Woods can’t progress until the drainage has improved.

“The Friends of Fullarton wish to thank all those who have helped and contributed, financially and with time, to the success of this project.

“The public have shown great patience with some paths being closed off at short notice to allow this work to progress.”