Have Your Say On Draft Trails Management Plan

Share your views with the Peak District National Park Authority

A six-week public consultation on the draft five-year plan is now under way, and people have until September 17 to give their feedback on www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/looking-after/trailsplan

The trails, owned and managed by the Authority, are all former railway lines with a relatively flat terrain that offers easy access and traffic-free enjoyment.

They are:

• Monsal Trail, 8.5 miles from Bakewell to Wyedale, near Buxton.
• Tissington Trail, 13 miles from Ashbourne to Parsley Hay, near Hartington.
• High Peak Trail, 10.5 miles from south of Buxton to Longcliffe, near Wirksworth.
• Thornhill Trail, a short two-mile stretch near the Upper Derwent Valley.

They are regarded as some of the best recreational routes in the country, passing through glorious countryside, rich in wildlife and historic interest. In addition, the Monsal Trail received a huge boost last year when four old railway tunnels were re-opened for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders.

The draft management plan was drawn up with the help of user-groups in a series of workshops over the past year, plus a Trails Saturday when trail-users were asked to fill in surveys.

It includes action plans for managing the trails and their verges, optimising their benefits and promoting people’s awareness and understanding of their setting, history and habitats.

Trails manager Abi Ball said: “Given the importance of the trails to local people and visitors, we’d like to give people the opportunity to comment on the plan which is available to view and download from our website at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/looking-after/trailsplan. Any comments should be emailed to me at abi.ball@peakdistrict.gov.uk.”