Peak District MTB had another dig day at the Roaches in May (see Dan here and Paul’s write-up and photos, on Facebook), with another scheduled for July.

Elsewhere others have also been busy performing maintenance work on the bridleways and byways of the Peak District:

• Aston Bridleway (Hope BW 20) – 4 new gates [ Map ]
  Big improvement as especially the upper gate was hard to open. We understand the work was carried out by the farmer using a FiPL (Farming in Protected Landscapes) grant.
  
• Great Hucklow BOAT (Great Hucklow BOAT 21) [ Map ]
  DCC (Derbyshire County Council) has filled in a number of the large dips that would hold water almost all year round. Pleasing to see they were able to identify the issue and use a suitable material in an appropriate way.
  
• North Lees Permissive Bridleway (Outseats FP 7 – near Stanage/Hathersage) [ Map ]
  First section from the north down towards the first gate, again would often be very wet. Couple of cross drains – watch out, the first one is extreme and would be easy to puncture on. Again, work carried out by DCC, a marked improvement and also helped to repair damage done due to timber extraction.
  
• Old Road (Buxton BOAT 28) [ Map ]
  DCC has have greatly increase the tarmacked length, replacing a rougher stone/’gravel’ and dirt surface. With the surfacing choice apparently at odds with expectations and consultation responses of a wide range of users and user-groups, resulting in concern and consternation from many.
  (Photos on Facebook group Buxton ‘Spatown’ & District Photographs.)
  (Discussion on Peak District MTB Facebook group.)
  (Some background on Peaks and Puddles.)
• Future Lockerbrook/Gores Bridleway temporary closure (Hope Woodlands BW 8) [ Map ]
  From 5th July this will be closed again for forestry work. It is expected to be closed during the week and open on weekends, as before. DCC Closure Notice
• DCC future works
  This includes, amongst other, as previously reported:
  More on Jacob’s Ladder – Edale.
  Potato Alley (Blackley Hey) & The Roman Road – Hope, Ladybower.
  Kinder Reservoir – Hayfield.Further information:
  • DCC 2024-25 Highways Capital Programme (Section 01.07, Rights of Way, Page 7):
    https://democracy.peakdistrict.gov.uk/documents/g4886/Public%20reports%20pack%2021st-Feb-2024%2010.00%20Peak%20District%20Local%20Access%20Forum.pdf?T=10
  • DCC’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan to the Peak District Local Access Forum (Item 7, Page 67):
    https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/site-elements/documents/pdf/transport-roads/roads-traffic/road-maintenance/road-improvements/2024-to-2025-highways-capital-programme-delivery-plan.pdf#page=7

2 June 2024