The Government today published its response to the Glover Landscapes review. You can read their response here. This is important for mountain biking in the Peak District since an objective of the Glover report was to review access. Currently around 11% of the Peak District rights of way network is open to bicycles, compared to the national average of 22% (Project 22%), and “Open Access” land is currently only for foot traffic.
“Alongside boosting biodiversity, improving public access to our protected landscapes is a priority. Our levelling up agenda is about addressing inequality, and I am determined that our protected landscapes will be accessible to all, improve mental and physical wellbeing and support local economies. We will encourage sustainable tourism and national engagement programmes, supported by expanded ranger services and improved rural transport. Equally, where people don’t respect our protected landscapes, we will ensure strengthened enforcement powers address antisocial behaviour and damage.”
We’ll be reviewing the Government’s response to see how it might affect mountain bikers and mountain bike access in the Peak District.
Read the Government’s response here.
What is the Glover Report?
The 10 National Parks and 34 Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB) aim to preserve some of England’s finest landscapes and help people visit and enjoy them. In May 2018 the Government commissioned an independent landscapes review – lead by Julian Glover – to establish if the protections for AONBs and National Parks are still fit for purpose.
“The review’s purpose was to ask what might be done better, what changes could assist these areas, and whether definitions and systems – which in many cases date back to their original creation – are still sufficient.” – Gov.uk
Julian Glover and panel published their report in September 2019. The Government response will be interesting, and we recommend reading it and providing your feedback to us via Facebook or by emailing us.
