Having successfully raised the issue of the Pin Dale repairs, Peak District MTB has now turned its attention to the proposed repairs at Cave Dale – a hotspot for tourists, walkers and riders, and a much loved technical descent for the latter.
Update, Friday 28 Jan, 4.30pm
We’ve just received this statement from Derbyshire County Council:
“We have paused work in Cave Dale and all other similar work in the Peak Park, so we can prepare much more detailed plans for our proposals. The plans were previously discussed and approved by the Local Access Forum, but we will provide the group with more information so their views can be sought again.
“We will look carefully at the concerns raised by Peak District MTB, and take these into account along with the views of user groups.
“It is not our intention to spoil the character of Cave Dale, or any other part of the Peak District, our works will be as sympathetic and minimalist as possible whilst being mindful of our role to ensure that these routes are fit for purpose and safe to use for walkers, cyclists and those on horseback.
“We will not be using the same recycled material that was put down originally in Pin Dale in any other rural location, this was done with all good intentions, but was never the plan for that area. This material is in the process of being removed.”
This sounds like a good commitment to sensitive repairs and more consultation. Given the Cave Dale path has been rough and bouldery for many, many years, it will be interesting to see how much weight is placed on ‘…whilst being mindful of our role to ensure that these routes are fit for purpose and safe to use for walkers, cyclists and those on horseback’. We’ve little doubt the Peak District MTB will be keeping a close eye on things, and thank them and all their supporters for their work.
Original Story continues:
As we noted in our initial story about Pin Dale, Derbyshire County Council has proposed a series of trail repairs, as listed in this document. However, Peak District MTB is concerned that the information provided to date is too vague to give confidence that the repairs will be sensitively carried out. Combine that with the apparent lack of oversight or adequate contractual specification of the works with the contractor on Pin Dale, and Peak District MTB’s unease over this lack of clarity is perhaps understandable.
In an extensive post on its website, Peak District MTB sets out the steps they have already taken to try and establish further detail of the works to be carried out by or on behalf of Derbyshire County Council. Frustrated and concerned by the lack of response, and wanting to raise further awareness of the issue, it has now launched a petition to ask Derbyshire County Council to pause planned work on Cave Dale until:
- They share detailed plans of intended works
- They share a timeline of intended works
- They conduct comprehensive consultation on these sensitive proposed plans.
Head here to add your voice to their petition.
Incidentally, when asking about Pin Dale, we had asked Derbyshire County Council:
- What materials are proposed to be used for the other trail repairs listed here and previously reported to the Local Access Forum? http://peakdistrictmtb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/dccrowr2021-091011.pdf
We did not get a specific response to this question, so have contacted them again today, as well as asking:
- Will Derbyshire County Council put further repairs on hold until proper consultation of the full details of the materials, extent and methods of repair takes place?
We await their response and will update this story when we hear back. If you’re riding at Cave Dale this weekend – or anywhere else – don’t forget to tag us #stwfgf so we can all appreciate the trail as it is today (and you might win something if we really like the pic!)
The topic ‘Update: Peak District MTB petition successful: Cave Dale trail repairs postponed’ is closed to new replies.