Buxton Town Team are inviting people to comment on proposed cycling and walking routes between Buxton and Matlock.
In 2016 Buxton Town Team held a conference entitled ‘Buxton on the Move’ to discuss issues around access, parking, travel and transport as Buxton developed. This identified a need for improved infrastructure to enable people to move more easily, quickly and safely in and around Buxton, including safer travel links into the Peak District National Park. The current geography and rights of way provision makes it difficult to safely cycle from Buxton to the Monsal Trail, for example.
The potential reinstatement of the Monsal Trail as a railway line between Buxton and Matlock would mean a loss of cycle access. Buxton Town Team’s ‘Safer Walk & Ride’ plans propose that trails as good as if not better than the Monsal Trail are installed before the railway line is reinstated. Interestingly Buxton Town Team are considering a braided network of routes to accommodate different cycling abilities, utilising existing rights of way where possible.
Buxton Town Team state:
“This Trails Proposal supports the government focus on addressing climate change, including ‘A Green Future: 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment’ and OLEV initiatives.
More locally, the Proposal supports ongoing strategic discussions and planning by many organisations currently addressing the impacts of climate change. This Proposal particularly references environmental protection, sustainable transport and active travel.”
More cycling access is a positive thing and this initiative could provide off-road links between existing popular mountain bike trails. Buxton Town Team have produced a short video that we encourage you to watch to learn more about the high-level objectives. As this is a scoping exercise to gauge interest, no detailed plans are included in this video. Please also provide your feedback to their plans via the link at the end of the video or directly here.
You can read more about the Safer Walk & Ride network on the Buxton Town Team website.
