Agenda item

Simon Geller, Sustrans Volunteer Co-Ordinator Sheffield, was invited to the meeting to give a presentation regarding cycling access into the Peak District.

Simon reported that there were three main issues currently concerning Sustrans:

1)    The lack of a safe route between Hathersage and Grindleford. Currently cyclists have to use a dangerous stretch of main road. The National Trust (NT) had opened up some tracks between Hathersage Booths and Padley and Sustrans were keen to get this section open for cyclists and other non-vehicular users. Craig Brown from the NT confirmed that he would be happy to talk about further access through NT land.

2)    The National Cycle Network (NCN) route from London to Keswick gets stuck around Sheffield. There are currently no Sustran signed cycle routes through the Hope Valley, which is one of the busiest areas for bikes. An alternative  proposal being considered would be to put up some temporary signage explaining that the NCN stopped here and suggest getting the train through the Hope Valley. Simon confirmed that Sustrans had been working with Northern Rail to look at how they could recondition carriages to get more cycles onto the trains as more people are using the trains for leisure now rather than for commuting. Andrew McCloy suggested that it would be worth Sustrans speaking to the Hope Valley Climate Action Group. There was a general consensus that there were lots of good ideas out there about increasing rail use but that plans needed to be harmonised to make real progress and to avoid duplication.

3)    Chatsworth – ought to be a major opening for cyclists in the Peak District but is currently a barrier. Sustrans are very keen to open up more routes through Chatsworth and wondered if anyone on the Forum had any contacts at Chatsworth they could tap into. Councillor Susan Hobson confirmed that she was the elected local councillor for the area covering Chatsworth and would be happy to assist so suggested that Simon Geller emailed her.

Gill Millward reported that the County Council had an approved prioritisation list for developing the strategic Key Cycle Network (KCN) for Derbyshire, which included the White Peak Loop, Pennine Way Bridleway and the Derwent Valley Cycle Way. It was crucial to be able to secure funding from various sources and to work in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders and organisations to deliver the KCN.

A map showing the location of the completed and proposed KCN routes was included in Gill’s RoWIP update. These routes could be viewed in more detail on the Derbyshire Mapping Portal, along with the Local Cycle Network: https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/council/partnerships/derbyshire-mapping-portal/derbyshire-mapping-portal.aspx

Charlotte Gilbert thanked the contributors from Sustrans and commented that all of the issues they raised fitted in well with efforts to get more people into the Park in a sustainable way. She reminded everyone that when discussing barriers to access, all vulnerable road users must be considered, not just cyclists.