Trees face the chop in order to keep Cobh open

Landowners will face legal action if they fail to chop down hundreds of potentially dangerous trees along one of the most scenic roads in Cork.

County council officials have sent warning notices to landowners along the Fota Rd, the sole route which connects the 11,000 inhabitants of Cobh and Great Island with mainland Cork.

Following Storm Ophelia, residents in the area were cut off for several hours after large trees fell on the road while train services and the cross-river ferry had been cancelled for safety reasons.