Whilst the timing of this piece is coincidental, it is perhaps apt that it coincided with the anniversary of the Kinder Trespass. It is worth remembering how we got our rights to the countryside and who was 
responsible for this.
As relative newcomers, this is something we need to bear in mind, as are the timescales as we too look to changes in the access laws. We are fortunate to have the perspective on this from the chair of Sheffield Ramblers, Terry Howard below….
Careful if you’re intending to ride Stanage Causeway because a large hole has appeared, probably as a result of the recent heavy rain and, possibly, 4×4 use. So, if you’re planning on a night ride, take care. Andy Tickle of the Friends of the Peak District has been up for a look and reported back, “It’s not a large hole, but given its location and the likelihood it would get larger it seems sensible closing the route to vehicles. The County Council are going to repair the hole and it will remain closed for at least three months. We believe they should look at longer term solutions including a Traffic Regulation Order rather than waste more money.”
Houndkirk Road has been a bone of contention for some time and it’s great to be able to report some good news at last. Ride Sheffield recently received the specification for work on the old byway for the next couple of years and it’s clear that a more minimalist approach is being planned.
Following stirling work by Steve Hardcastle and others, the redesignation of a popular bridleway to a footpath at Fox Hagg in the Rivelin Valley has been prevented.
Signs informing horse riders that it may not be suitable for inexperienced riders are to be installed.
The Blackamoor bridleway that runs down from the Stoney Ridge car park parallel with the Hathersage Road has been the subject of a winter closure for horses and cycles for the last two years. Although the winter ban was a vital experiment, in many ways it has proved to be a blunt instrument that has at times verged on illogical. For example, during March when the trail was bone dry, we were prevented from riding on it. Now, with the April showers in full swing, we are able to ride it again even though it’s a bog. Having monitored the situation, the Sheffield Wildlife Trust and the Sheffield Rights of Way Team have noticed the inconsistency and decided to trial all year round use as from next winter. (more…)
Last March Steel City Series put on their inaugural mountain bike race Peaty’s Steel City Downhill in Greno Woods; to raise awareness and money for the Wildlife Trusts Greno Woods appeal.
Stilettos on Wheels Sheffield leg at Birchhall is coming up quickly, but before it shouts on your left and disapears into the distance, here is a bit of an update on the race with a little video including Olympic Hopeful Annie Last.
The Wildlife Trust are going to be up on Blacka this Saturday doing some maintainance to the bridleways up there – carrying out some repairs on the winter damaged Bridleways. After the great work that has been done by you lot over the past few trail days they are keen to get us on board again.
If you’re free this Saturday and want to give a little back, here is all the information you need from the Wildlife Trust…. (more…)
Hold the front page! Meeting both interesting and informative shock!!
Sorry, couldn’t resist, because it’s not often I can say that about a meeting discussing access and conservation. However, having been involved in the consultation process for the Eastern Moors from the start, I can only say it has been a pleasure throughout. The new management team’s inclusive attitude has been refreshing and mountain biking has been accorded equal treatment with all the other user groups. The National Trust/RSPB set out with the intention of creating an examplary model of how conservation and access could coexist and I just hope other conservation bodies take note because so far, the results exceed expectations. (more…)
