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[Closed] Lake District trail sanitization

PhillN · 2009-06-06T09:44:13Z

I recently asked the Lake District National Park Authority why Moor Lane in Grizedale had been resurfaced. This is the one that comes out near the parking area near Satterthwaite. It's now a basically flat track. Previously it was a superb rocky, steppy track. Here's the reply that I got. What do you think? "We repaired Moor Lane last year as it was becoming dangerous to use for horse-riders – and difficult to use in places for walkers. The trouble was that the original surface has gradually washed away leaving exposed bedrock which became slippy, and there were some quite big rock steps as well. This presented us with two issues – firstly, we have a duty to maintain this bridleway to the original standard as best we can, and secondly, the duty on a bridleway is to maintain the route so that it is safe for the recorded users – which are walkers, horse-riders and pedal cyclists. The other problem was that the surfacing that did exist on the lane was washing out on to the public road after heavy storms, causing a safety issue for drivers as well. I appreciate that mountain bikers enjoyed the challenge of a difficult route – but I am sure that you will also appreciate that our responsibilities are actually wider than that. In fact, the work we have done has made Moor Lane more usable to a greater variety of cyclists, including family cyclists and those less confident on a mountain bike. For those mountain bikers who do like more of a challenge, then there are plenty of facilities in the area, such as the Forestry Commission’s North Face and other tracks in Grizedale Forest. It is not our usual policy to consult user bodies when carrying out essential maintenance, as it is part of our duty rather than something discretionary. I hope that explains why we have restored the route to its original condition, and I am sure that you will understand why we have done this."

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TandemJeremy

Posts: 0

Free Member

So simon - it is better to moan about trail repair as "Sanitization" than it is to engage to do anything about it to try to get it repaired in a way that suits you? You constantly moan about the repairs to trails in the lakes.

You do seem to forget the crucial point - one persons fun rocky trail is another's eroded mess. These trails are for all - from experienced mountainbikers to ramblers to horses to inexperienced mountainbikers.

Your position is untenable.

Posted : 16/06/2009 6:23 pm

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