The Hope Valley Link is intended to complement a Sustrans signed Sheffield to Manchester route across the Peak District National Park by providing a new off-road section between Hathersage and Castleton. We reported earlier this year on phase I of this project and the fact that it was unfortunately too late to influence those works. However phase II is under consultation and feedback is welcome from all.
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A number of public consultations have already been held which, encouragingly, have asked for feedback on phase II plans as well as suggested improvements to phase I. It’s not too late to provide additional feedback, so please take a look at the plans and provide any comments and suggestions by emailing James Lowe at Sustrans (james.lowe@sustrans.org.uk). There are a small number of official consultation questions but they are designed for face-to-face consultation, so please feel free to provide comments above and beyond what is specifically asked hope_valley_consultation_questions
A key deliverable of this project is to provide a safer cycling route for the students of Hope Valley College. Phase I is a long way from being a completely safe route so phase II has a lot of work to do. Please bear this key goal in mind with the feedback (see Hope Valley Cyclists’ Facebook page for examples of where phase I is currently not as safe as users would like).
“The Hope Valley Link is a scheme that provides a safer cycle route along the Hope Valley separating cyclists from the A6187 road. This scheme is part of the Pedal Peak ll project funded by the Department for Transport that will improve cycling for leisure and day to day journeys as well as providing a boost for rural economies in and around the Peak District National Park.
This particular scheme is a result of a petition which was submitted to the County Council by Hope Valley College pupils and staff for a safer cycle route along the valley back in 2008.
Phase 1 of the scheme between Hathersage and Bamford was built earlier this year and we are now looking at identifying the route towards Hope. We believe the cycle route will be of huge value to the Hope Valley community and hope that we can work together to make this project a huge boost for the local area.”
We’ve been assured by Sustrans that all responses will be included in their report to Derbyshire County Council. Sustrans are also putting forward ways in which the route could be connected into communities along the route and are consulting on the idea of this rather than showing finished plans. The plans need the right feedback to be implemented successfully so please get involved with the process. The opportunity could be lost if the right level of support is not received.
