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It's been an outstanding effort so far, accomplished much in a relative short space of time. Big fat kudos to all concerned. It's impressive and people should rightly be proud.
It's going to be baby steps at first. It will take a while to break down the entrenched reasoning of DCC and they'll have to be 'shown' alternative ways of doing things to satisfy all user groups, but, they may just come round.
Plus, who in their right mind wants to be ultimately responsible for shunting mountain bikers off the bridleways onto the very places where they [i]really[/i] aren't wanted. Who in their right mind wants to speed mountain bikers up when the real wishes of walker and horse rider are usually to see mtb speed reduced.
It could be a long drawn out affair getting things back to how they were at places like Stanage but with constant pressure and "encouragement" from interested parties we might get somewhere and change minds / policy.
[i]Still say PDNPA needs bigger balls and more clouty input tho. [/i]
just to add another voice and say thank you to all those who are directly engaged with all of this.
The current plan is as good as we'll get I think. Its not ideal by any strech, I'm certain we all wanted it put back as it was, but realistically that was never going to happen.
As long as DCC keep to there word and continue to consult with the user groups we'll hopefully aviod this sort of thing in the future.
Good work folks, I think you've won some significant concessions and DCC certainly know they are being watched.
A question of detail - they claimed they had to do the work to prevent "trespass" on adjacent land - I assume they meant the extra lines that were developing along the top of the bank. However, surely all the land between the wall and fence is part of the highway isn't it? So where's the trespass?
So, steps still to be buried… and still no declaration of exactly who this is being done for.
Rogerthecat am I the obvious troll? 😳
Sorry if I come across that way but I am still very upset about what has happened. Those steps were part of my first ride in the peak district and while I might not find them as challenging as I once did I still very much enjoyed riding them. I am disappointed that DCC will not undo the work already done and I think we all should be. I appreciate the effort that everybody put into trying to stop the work but ultimately all that effort ended in failure. Hopefully all those that met with DCC have now opened up a channel of communication that can stop this kind of thing from happening again, and if that is the case, then we can take something positive from this.
I hope that sounds a bit less trollish 😉
All valid point. Let me start off by expressing my gratitude for the tireless efforts of those who've been driving this on the front line.
However, as we all know far too well, it's not just Rushup Edge, DCC have form on this matter.
As said on the pdmtb Facebook page, DCC are taking us for mugs. Trail destruction is just like anal sex; it's easier to seek forgiveness than permission.
DCC have it seems, admitted they've made mistakes but are still going to do what they planned. What's the price difference between finishing it off and putting it back?
Unless DCC still think someone somewhere (who actually uses trails) wants what they're doing. If that's the case though, we've not been as successful as we feel we have.
We've made lots of noise and got on the radar, it's a good start. But this whole process will take a while unless they really do try and side line us, which will become very apparent very quickly.
It's all up in the air and to play for atm. They'll show their cards soon enough. We'll have to jump accordingly.
True, the other thing to remember here is that this isn't the end of it, this is the start. This sort of battle will need to be fought time and time again. This is our call to arms, we need to take notice and get ourselves organised and ready for the next onslaught.
Gutted!
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/outdoor-features/rushup-edge---the-bigger-picture/13539.html
I didn't know when I made this vid last June that after over 20 years of riding Rushup it's end up that way.
Pete - that article is a month old and tonnes has happened since then. It's a good snapshot of the issue but it also misrepresents the core of the mountain bike groups' argument valiantly forged by Peak District MTB, Keeper of the Peak and Ride Sheffield. It's not about 'sanitisation' or losing the technical challenge; it's the lack of consultation and the dubious justification for the work they question: both very valid points whether you're a mountain biker, walker, horse rider or other.
Progress has been made. Have a look at peakdistrictmtb.org for the latest. Lots on their Facebook page too.
They certainly haven't given up - and like onzadog says, it's just about keeping the momentum going now.
Has the work restarted yet?
Not yet. There is more consultation under way
Have we asked them to put it back as it was or have we just assumed they won't?
Onza - more details here, along with the rebuttal document.
http://peakdistrictmtb.org/index.php/59-rushup-edge-campaign-meets-with-derbyshire-county-council
I did read the full report. I wasn't sure from that if we'd asked for it to be put back and we're refused or if we didn't ask.
Thanks for the link Pook. I've joined the FB page.
We met (again) with Peak Horsepower on Tuesday. It was a very positive meeting and there's plenty of news on our website.
[url= http://www.peakdistrictmtb.org/index.php/62-peak-horsepower-meeting-december-9th ]http://www.peakdistrictmtb.org/index.php/62-peak-horsepower-meeting-december-9th[/url]
Having seen the video (9 posts up), and looked at the pictures in the PDMTB report they made for DCC - I would say the trail needed no remedial or resurfacing work at all.
If it does need remedial or resurfacing work: I can't see how covering the whole trail in fist and baby head sized rocks benefits walkers or horse riders - it must make it a lot harder to walk (biped or quadruped).
Is that video of the section of trail that is being done by DCC?
P.S. Thanks to everyone who is doing something about this, whatever it may be.
How about everyone removes one chunk of rock each time they use the trail? The steps will soon be clear? 🙂 [Sorry.]
Apologies for being a bit late to the part and not knowing all the ins and outs. Lots of interesting reading. I'd just like to say that I wish DCC would realise that they work for the people who live in and/or enjoy the countywide of Derbyshire.
It's worth noting that the big lumps of rock aren't the finished article. they are the work in progress. There's a finer gristone layer to go over the top of that. They paused to works hence the part-job.
Thanks Pook.
The smooth trail surfaces in the pics in the "DCC previous" bit of the PDMTB report are VERY DEPRESSING. I only hope that enough walkers DIE OF BOREDOM on them that DCC is forced to reconsider.
You'd have to learn how to bunny hop over them 😉
Pook I admire your optimism but the peak district is being turned into a glorified trail centre. Soon only the footpaths will be gnarr enough for us. What plans do they have for cut gate?
If there is spare rocks/cash they should fill the ruts on the Roman Road.
Because they are so deep in water all users are by-passing the main track and damaging the surface each side of it.
Regarding unsympathetic dressings: Walkers have commented to me that Edale Road (Coldwell up to the back of Kinder) is hard work to walk on since spud sized stones were scattered.
Hard work is an understatement 🙁
We lost our sticky!
Was there any consultation on that?
Are there any updates as to what is or isn't happening?
PDMTB, Ride Sheffield, Friends of the Peak and DCC had a site visit last Tuesday. We have subsequently met to discuss the outcome and hope to get something up on the website ASAP. We have until mid-January to reply to their proposals. In the meantime work still continues to build alliances with fellow outdoor enthusiasts so keep on sharing that festive spirit to people you meet on the trials.
Firstly, a huge thanks to all our supporters for the time and effort they have put in over the last year to raise our profile and make us a strong organisation to represent the voices of those who love the Peak District.
On 2 December 2015, Peak District MTB met with Derbyshire County Council (DCC) to discuss the work on Rushup Edge and other works in the Peak District. Ride Sheffield, Keeper of the Peak, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) and Friends of the Peak (FOTP) District were also in the meeting to discuss the issue at hand. At the time we provided a brief update on the meeting, since then PDMTB has had chance to put together this, a more detailed report. Also included is a report from the site meeting which was requested subsequently to the main meeting with DCC. The site meeting happened on Tuesday 16th December and also included Ride Sheffield and FOTP. DCC has requested that the user groups provide a formal response to their proposed work on Rushup Edge / Chapel Gate by the 16th of January 2015. PDMTB will put forward its own response along with other groups. We hope there will be a lot of constructive comments. Until then we believe all work on Rushup Edge is on hold.
It's a long and detailed report so here's an 'Executive Summary', if you want to read the full report and site visit update, please click the 'read more' link.
Exec Summary:
PDMTB’s conclusion:
Following the meeting and site visit PDMTB has concluded the following:
1) Derbyshire County Council’s current plans for Rushup Edge have been barely modified and remain unacceptable to the vast majority of users of the Peak District.
2) Derbyshire County Council has failed to provide adequate justification for the works proposed.
3) Derbyshire County Council has a poor understanding of the needs of this trail as evidenced by their lack of research into user groups and their needs.
4) Derbyshire County Council cannot forecast any increased usage after the work and has not evidenced this after previous work on other routes.,
5) Derbyshire County Council has no consideration of the sustainability, long term environmental and economic impact of the proposed work.
6) Derbyshire County Council is unable determine the cost of the work or commit to any form of maintenance in the future:
“We don’t know how much a project is going to cost until we have finished it”
7) Derbyshire County Council has a history of inadequate consultation and reflection of user groups’ views in similar works. We are yet to be convinced that they have learnt their lessons.
PDMTB’s proposed response to Derbyshire County Council’s proposals for Rushup Edge:
We demand that DCC:
1) remove all materials that have been placed on the route and return it to its original state.
2) that all maintenance is as sensitive, minimal and sustainable as possible and we believe that can be achieved in a cost efficient manner.
3) if maintenance is unavoidable, we request the current materials are removed and replace with a planned and designed stone setting approach to reasonably accommodate all amenity users as has been achieved on a nearby route.
4) should the larger steps be removed we request smaller steps remain and that solid bedrock is left intact and visible remaining consistent with the nature of the trail.
For the full report follow this link - [url= http://www.peakdistrictmtb.org/index.php/65-pdmtb-update-6-january-2015 ]clickety[/url]
Thanks for the update - will read the full report.
Made me chuckle that summary, thanks for the update. Looking like a LAF meeting took place today / tonight too.
DCC are slippery bar stewards! The PDMTB response is good but I just can't see DCC moving from their position though. The terminator was more inclined to compromise than DCC. Why on earth it has to be roadworthy when vehicles are banned from using it I don't know?
Update on that LAF meeting on the 8th: http://www.peakdistrictmtb.org/index.php/67-local-access-forum-rushup-edge-chapel-gate-meeting-8th-january
Very interesting to hear all but one group were NOT in favour of flattening the trails.
The only ones who were, were the Disabled Ramblers group. And the ones who DCC are using to support their "argument" / "vision" of the countryside.
Also good to note the social media campaign put a dent in DCC's sizeable ego.
Surely the disabled gamblers group can see the value in leaving technical trail alone. These will be the focal spot for mountain bikers. Instead, if ever trail is paved then every trail will have high speed users on it which I assume would be detrimental to disabled ramblers.
I still think that the problem is that rights of way are still looked at as a means of people moving around (which they historically were) instead of the leisure facility they have become. I wouldn't deny disabled users the right to move about freely but I do think it's wrong to take a leisure facility away from a large group of users to hand it over at great expense to a much smaller group of users. Keep in mind that suitable trails already exist for all. We're discussing the shifting proportion of trail types.
disabled gamblers
??
My thought was where on Earth are they going to park? The layby on Rushup Edge isn't exactly capacious. But I see that crop up in the report.
Well done to PDMTB on progress made over the past few months in getting a toe in the door.
It was interesting to have DCC point out to PDMTB that the social media campaign had caused them significant disruption.
In a previous comment I said that I didn't think posting comments on facebook would make any difference. It is very nice to be proven wrong. Well done to everybody that did post on DCC facebook. I just hope that DCC can find it in themselves to admit that they were wrong to start the work and that the decent thing to do would be to return the trail to its previous state.
Onzadog I agree with your comment regarding disabled access, ruining things for the majority is not the way to go. It is just not practical to make every single trail accessible for disabled people and you have to draw a line somewhere.
I never been to the area but I'm assuming whatever the surface that you wouldn't be inclined (!) to push a wheel chair up there.
Well I've just had a quick look at the Disabled Ramblers website and I'm pretty impressed by the terrain they take on. I was surprised to find very little activity in the Peak though, which might well point to a lack of suitable trails - thought I can think of quite a few which they might tackle without any further resurfacing work.
I'm not at all convinced Rushup Edge is a good choice for such development - it's not even one of the better viewpoints in the area.
Onzadog I agree with your comment regarding disabled access, ruining things for the majority is not the way to go. It is just not practical to make every single trail accessible for disabled people and you have to draw a line somewhere.
DCC might have had a case if they could have demonstrated that the route was being used or would have had much higher usage from disabled users had they actually done any consulting but they've kind of dug their own grave with this one. Hopefully they've learnt their lesson.
DCC have conducted no surveys of users on the path. They simply have no idea who or how many people go up there.
[url= http://www.ridesheffield.org.uk/2015/01/peak-local-access-forum-rushup-edge-meeting/ ]ridesheffield local access forum meeting write up[/url]
The link above gives a slightly different perspective than that given by PDMTB. The disabled ramblers group seem hell bent on vandalising the trail to make it accessible to them, while I understand why they want access to the trail I don't agree that it should be flattened for them.
It is good to see that peak horsepower are supportive of mountain bikers.