Getting to the Peak
From Pedalpushers
This page was originally written by, and is dedicated to Jos Kingston, who campaigned tirelessly for sustainable access to the Peak District before her death in February 2007.
Report on meeting with Sheffield Pedal Pushers - April 15th 2003
(Updated July 2005)
(Migrated to the Wiki, February 2007)
The meeting was held in Hathersage to focus specifically on the issue of cycle access to the Peak District. In addition to Pedal Pushers members, the meeting was attended by Alix Otten from Manchester CTC, and Rob Brock, sustainable Transport Officer for the YHA.
Two key priorities for Sheffield Pedal Pushers are that access to the Peak District for recreational cycling should not be dependent on travelling out by car; and that the network of "joined-up" cycle routes, most especially in the parts of the Peak District closest to Sheffield, should be extended. The emphasis of Pedal Pushers differs from that of mountain bikers in its focus on routes which are suitable for families and touring cyclists, offering a reasonably level surface whilst carrying minimal or no motor traffic. It is evident from Derbyshire County Council's "Cycle Derbyshire" map, that these are distinctly lacking in the part of the Peak District closest to Sheffield.
. Suggested routes
An initial brainstorm focussed on a limited area extending approximately 10 miles west of Sheffield from Chatsworth in the south to Strines/Damflask in the north.
Main routes suggested in this area were (from north to south):
1. Loxley – Dungworth – Ughill – Strines – Moscar (using quiet roads and improved rights of way)
2. Stannington – Hollow Meadows – Moscar; with branch Rails – Rivelin Rocks – Townfield Head (using quiet roads and improved rights of way)
3. Porter route (not put in map yet)
4. Ringinglow – Burbage Rocks – Fox House.
Road from Ringinglow – Burbage has 40 mph speed limit through North Lees - would reduction to 30 mph on this stretch have significant safety benefits for cyclists? Stanage Forum meetings suggested that local motorists wouldn't necessarily be averse to 30 mph limit.
Follow track from Burbage Rocks to Fox House
5. Ringinglow – Houndkirk Moor – Parson House (track)
6. Track joining routes 4 and 5 west of Lady Canning's Plantation
Access to designated tracks over Longshaw Estate:
7. Greenwood Farm (Hathersage Booths) – Grindleford Station. Rights to cycle along this track are also high on the wish list of cyclists living in Hathersage/Grindleford.
8. Fox House – Grouse Inn
9. Additional track(s) through Longshaw
It appears that the National Trust is fearful that Longshaw could be overwhelmed by mountain bikes if cycling was permitted. However this would seem an unrealistic fear if cycling were permitted only on a limited number of designated tracks. The potential the Longshaw estate offers for the promotion and encouragement of recreation family cycling is tremendous. Mountain Biking has moved on from the early days and most MTB'ers are now aware of the need to stick to bridleways, give way to walkers etc.
10. Totley – west of rifle range (existing track) – B6054
11. B6054 – Barbrook Resr - Big Moor – Ramsley Lodge
A small section of this route is a track where right of way would need negotiating.
12. Tracks through Chatsworth
The same principles which apply to Longshaw apply equally to Chatsworth estate – tremendous potential for promotion of cycling. IN particular the legitimisation of the route from Park Lodge past the house would remove a major barrier to cycling, and mitigate part of the effect of the enormous amount of motor traffic that Chatsworth attracts.
13. Edale- Sheffield
A leisure route using the Edale Road to Hope, and then back lanes up to Burbage. The establishment of a cycle route can be a driver for slower speeds and other road safety measures.
2. Comments accompanying these suggestions
1. All the above suggestions would benefit from greater detail, particularly where they involve redefining rights of way to permit cycling; or use of tracks where rights of way don't currently exist. Best presentation would require larger-scale maps linking to smaller-scale maps with more detail.
2. A top priority is linking of routes to form a network.
3. Surfaces – signing which indicated suitability of surfaces for cycling would be beneficial. Enormous difference between bridleway surfaces.
4. Additional routes were flagged which are off the maps provided for the initial brainstorm. The track along the old railway line from Bamford – Ladybower can be integrated with the tracks and roads with restricted vehicle access round Ladybower/Derwent, and provides an excellent route for cyclists which deserves to be well waymarked.
5. Another route which would lend itself to waymarking and special designation is New Mills – Hayfield – Chapel-en-le-Frith.
6. Although there are cycle lanes along parts of the main road through the Hope Valley, this is not pleasant cycling. Parents in the Hope Valley are concerned about the lack of safe cycleways for children attending Hope Valley College and are discussing plans in relation to this. Suggested that this should be separated lanes on each side of the road, so that cyclists can benefit from the “Tailwind” of traffic.
7. General feeling of Pedal Pushers is strongly against motorised vehicles in off-road contexts. Counter to peaceful enjoyment of countryside; safety issues; environmental effects; rutting of surfaces etc. "Volunteer" resurfacing of routes by off-roaders might initially provide an improvement for cyclists, but this is likely to be short-lived where motorised off-road usage continues to expand.
3. Peak Park Anniversary Route
This solitary signed route into the Peak District from Sheffield is a big success. However, the route has been severed by a number of major works over the past year:- Station Masterplan, Winter Gardens, Barker's Pool, Division Street, West One, Water Works at Bingham Park.
It's in the future still, but we need to plan with the council for a grand reopening of the route. Barkers Pool should be finished this year, but we think Sheaf Square is not due for completion till next summer. oward St looks almost done now. All the stakeholders seemed keen to get this route on the map again and we think a updated reprint of the guide/ map and an official reopening ceremony (in 2007 say) would be a great success for Pedal Pushers.
4. Cycles and public transport into the Peak District
1. Hope Valley line – This is the main conduit for cyclists from Sheffield/Manchester but in theory only 2 bikes are permitted per train. Makes use of public transport for family or group cycle outings in the Peak District problematic. For individual cyclists too, uncertainty as to whether one will or won't be able to board a train with a bike on a line where trains are mainly run on a 2-hourly service, obviously isn't satisfactory. Restrictions could easily be lessened, at any rate outside peak hours? Trains should have “bike” stickers on the outside so cyclists know where to load their bikes – this decreases dwell times at stations, thus improving punctuality.
Northern Rail has setting up a Cycle Forum and Simon Geller is a member. This issue has been raised and a new cycle strategy states that guards can be 'flexible' over cycle carriage. It has been noted that fares are not always collected on this route and this may lead to a management perception that usage is lower than it actually is.
2. Possibility suggested of cyclists trains – on a similar model to folk trains? ACORP have suggested the use of defunct Pacers as bike vans, although CTC members may question whether the ride quality of these units is good enough to carry expensive touring bikes :-)
3. Steps at stations – need to carry bikes across can be a deterrent to cyclists who are less agile/family groups. Hope is an example.
4. Availability of bike buses on routes where this would be specially likely to prove popular. 257 Sheffield – Burbage Rocks – Hathersage – Bamford – Fairholmes? Manchester – Stockport? Goyt Valley – great area for cycling, but almost no public transport.
5. The 272/274 services to Castleton and the 240 to Bakewell would seem to be particularly suitable candidates for bike carriage.
