first i've heard, how sudden is 'sudden'? was up there saturday and the FC/Council bods weren't kicking people off the Chase. no windscreen leaflets or other notices either.

1 section of the FTD's closed isn't it I saw diversions there a few weeks back,  but thats about it I think.

http://penkridgecrier.blogspot.com/2009/01/sudden-oak-death-identified-on-cannock.html

and sudden oak death i think kills the tree in around a 3 months. the tree can rebud next year but will then die of completly within a few weeks 

brocton coppice isn't anywhere near FtD

currently sections 11 and 12 - which run along side marquis - are closed. the FC held a huge trade show up there a few months ago and for the sake of three days the area was completely obliterated so they could demonstrate the 'capabilities' of tree felling machinery ar$eholes!

im not sure about that, the FC did create a wide(ish) path leading from marquis down to the pools beneath sections 14/15. its has excellent corners to drift around

Phase 2 is in a totally different area and caters for the more experienced.

I'm no tree expert but the oaks on the chase are limited to around the Brocton area I think, the rest of the chase is mainly coniferous and wouldn't be affected my this problem.