Newsletter Issue 9 May 2014

In this issue: Vehicles now BHS head visits PHP banned on

TRO now in Chapel Gate place on the Roych The Peak Park Traffic Regulation Order banning 4x4s and motor New bridleway bikes from Chapel Gate near Ringinglow Eastern Moors: came into effect on 22 May. This means an National Trust end to motor vehicles open routes for new bridleway along damaging the track horses and the restoration of BHS Access Officer Ben Benest is reporting great peace and quiet above progress on the Eastern Moors: the new concessionary the Edale Valley. It also bridleway along the top of Curbar Edge and Froggatt Diary dates: means an end to horse Edge is now open to horse-riders. riders having to contend with danger from offroad July It provides a 2.25 mile long ‘there and back’ route from vehicles on this route. BHS elections Curbar Gap where a new bridle gate has been installed near the car park. This is a lovely ride with spectacular views over Many thanks to all the (see page 4) from the gritstone edges. riders who took part in the public consultation There is more to come. In August a completely new section and supported the TRO. of bridle path will be created which will link the Froggatt 17 August Edge route to the A625 public road near the Grouse pub, Pleasure ride giving access to existing bridleways at White Edge and Look out for the...... from Alport Moor. Eventually, this route will also link to new concession bridleways planned for the . NUTTER! Most of the bridleway work planned by the Eastern Moors National park ranger, Partnership has now been completed with new gates and Pete Bush, asks all riders surface repairs done on Totley Moor, Big Moor and near the in who use the reservoir on Ramsley Moor. Getting the routes open has been Bridleway between Holme the priority and the next stage will see installation of more Lane and the Monsal Trail to way-marking posts and mounting blocks at the gates. be observant. The last link in the chain of concessionary bridleways on the An unknown individual Eastern Moors will be a short section across the southeast keeps removing all the nuts corner of Big Moor which enables riders to by-pass a from the gates. dangerous crossroads on the Baslow Road. Once this section Apart from wasting a lot of is completed (maybe next autumn) there will be no padlocked time and money it is also bridle gates left and the days of permit riding with keys will be dangerous. The gate is likely over. to fall apart when someone tries to open it! Ben Benest says: “please do get out there and enjoy a hack along Froggatt Edge: it’s mainly suitable for a gentle walk but So, keep your eyes open there are some sections where you can trot or canter. Parking and let Pete know if you see for individual horseboxes or trailers is possible on the highway anything or notice that a in Curbar village, just a short ride away, but riding clubs will gate has again been attacked have to make special arrangements to find parking for a group by the ‘nutter’. of boxes/trailers”. Call Pete on: 07585 903681 Lady Cannings Bridleway Roych The Roych is now permanently closed to motor vehicles. The Peak Park Traffic Regulation Order banning all types of motor vehicle was originally agreed in July 2013 but held up by DCC repairs. The Order was confirmed by PDNPA in January and is now finally in place. PHP is grateful to PDNPA Members for their determination in the face of vigorous and sometimes abusive opposition to the TRO from the offroading lobby.

Bridleway

Descending Trail

Ascending Trail

1 Access Point

The work on the new bridleway through Lady Cannings Plantation near Ringinglow is now complete and bridle gates and mounting blocks have been installed at the entrances. If you are boxing in to ride in the woods we would not The Roych advise using the parking spaces directly opposite the track as the access has some pretty horrendous humps which Long Causeway could be difficult to negotiate. Provided you can cope with The Peak Park has not yet been able to a short stretch on the road we would advise parking in the car park on Fulwood lane at the top of Porter Clough implement the decision it made in September (next to the Alpaca Farm) and riding back to Sheephill last year to put a permanent Traffic Regulation Road. Order (TRO) on Long Causeway. A longer ride would be to park at the other end of the This is because the Causeway currently has on it a Houndkirk BOAT, ride to Lady Cannings Bridleway and temporary TRO from Derbyshire County Council (banning return via the bridleway link to Houndkirk. only 4x4s, not motor bikes) pending the completion of http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=428500&y=38350 repairs. The difficulty has been that highway law says there 0&z=120&sv=ringinglow&st=3&tl=Map+of+Ringinglow,+S can be only one TRO on a route at any one time. DCC heffield+[City/Town/Village]&searchp=ids.srf&mapp=map. has now announced that it will get on with the repairs this srf summer and revoke the DCC Order in time for PDNPA to Further work is scheduled to complete the mountain bike get its own TRO in place by September. If PDNPA does not route and to put in a loop for disabled riders from the implement its Order by September 2014, the law says that Riding for the Disabled centre at Smelting’s Farm. it will have to start the TRO process all over again. There The ride through the woods is delightful and thanks go to is nothing so true in the realm of rights of way than the City Council for creating a safe environment for old saying that ‘the law is an ass’. The DCC repairs will no horse riders. longer include repairs to the revetment designed to make it safe for heavy vehicles.

Friends of the new offroading policy Friends of the Peak District has hardened its policy on offroading. Previously it took the position that 4x4s and motor bikes should be excluded only from green lanes which are particularly badly affected by offroading. It is now calling for offroading to be banned everywhere in the National Park. New legislation on offroading now on the agenda The campaign to change the law on offroading has been gathering pace and is having an impact. PHP and other organisations nationwide concerned about green lanes being trashed by 4x4s and motor bikes have been pressing for clauses to be added to the Deregulation Bill which would classify all unsealed unclassified county roads (UUCRs) as restricted byways. UUCRs are in effect green lanes but they are not on the Definitive Map as footpaths, bridleways, BOATs or restricted byways. On the OS map they are usually shown as Other Routes with Public Access (ORPAs). There are over 3,000 miles of green lanes like this in and the unsurfaced routes in the Peak District being used by 4x4s and motor bikes are of this type. The effort to amend the Deregulation Bill is paying dividends. The campaign made sure that the Horses win Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny committee which examined the Bill at the end of last year received more evidence on the problem of motor vehicle use of green lanes than on any other aspect war against of the Bill. The Committee took notice, recognised that there is a serious problem and in its published report called on the government to take action and find a solution. gamers Next up was a debate in March in the House of Commons Committee which examined the A long-running attempt Bill. The debate showed that there is broad recognition in Parliament of the need for action on by war gamers to get green lanes. planning permission for The Government’s response so far has been to commit to ‘full public consultation’. Its current their activities in Parkers plan is to consult by setting up a stakeholder working group made up of offroading and anti- Wood near Brimington offroading interests in the hope that such a group will be able find a consensus solution in Chesterfield has been to motor vehicle use of green lanes - an outcome which is about as likely as pigs suddenly becoming able to fly. defeated. The war games involved people We are opposing the proposed consultation method as such a group is doomed to failure, will dressed up as soldiers shooting just waste precious time and it falls far short of the ‘full public consultation’ promised in the pellet guns and throwing smoke Government Response to the Report of the Joint Committee on the Draft Deregulation Bill grenades in woodland adjacent published in January. The campaign will therefore be pressing on with its attempts to amend the to horse pasture and a livery Bill as it goes through Parliament. stables. As well as noise and One thing is for sure: new legislation on offroading is back on the political agenda. smoke from explosions, the activity was resulting in plastic BBC Inside Out covers offroading pellets shooting across a track The BBC Inside Out regional news magazine used by riders and falling on covered offroading in the Peak District in a broadcast on 3 grazing land. March. The programme featured a number of the lanes in the Chesterfield council refused . The footage was forwarded by PHP to key planning permission but the supporters in Parliament in time for the debate on offroading gamers appealed against which took place in House of Commons Deregulation Bill the decision and a public Committee on 25 March (see above). hearing was held by a planning inspector. Ben Benest, BHS Access Officer for North William Reddaway Derbyshire, attended the hearing and supported the – Long Rider council’s case with evidence about the potential harm to PHP organised an event in Bakewell in horses and the real possibility May when William Reddaway came to of accidents. Ben argued that talk about his 2500 mile journey round none of the usual mitigations that can be done for fireworks England. on Bonfire Night are practical William and his horse, Strider, took 7 months to complete the trip, and William became for war games lasting most of a full member of the Long Riders Guild as a result. William and Strider visited 30 historic the day every weekend. cathedrals, with Strider being invited into some of them. William entertained the audience Much to the relief of local with stories from the adventure, but also stressed the amount of work and planning which horse owners and riders, the is needed to undertake such an expedition. It was an inspiring talk. The event raised £500 planning inspector dismissed for William’s charities, Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre and the Family Holiday Association. the appeal. So far William has raised over £60k. Special thanks to Torne Valley (Bakewell) and Carrs You can contact Ben Benest Billington (Bakewell) who donated raffle prizes. And many thanks to everyone who came on 0790 307 8861 or along to hear William. [email protected] Visit by British Horse Society Access Director When three members of PHP attended the BHS access national conference last year, we invited Mark Weston BHS Director for Access to visit us in the Peak Park so we could show him some of the problems we face. It was a glorious spring day when Mark came up from BHS HQ, so he could fully appreciate the beauty of the Peak District and contrast this with the devastation wreaked on some routes by off roading: we took him to Brushfield and to Limer Rake in Staffordshire. He could see for himself that these routes have been made unrideable. Mark met members of Peak Horsepower, the two horse rider representatives on the Local Access Forum, and Ben Benest the BHS Access and Bridleways Officer for the area. We had a very full discussion of the issues. Mark listened carefully to our concerns, and we very much hope that his visit will help us in our campaign to influence and improve BHS policies and action on Rights of Way. Mark Weston (left) and Ben Prior to his visit we sent Mark a summary of what Peak Horsepower has been doing and what Benest with Ben’s dog Bramble it has achieved in the four years since it was set up. He was suitably impressed.

PHP Committee Exmoor ponies tackle the Peak DCC rejects BOAT Member standing claim on Black Harry Lane for BHS Board Since the last issue We have persuaded PHP of the newsletter Committee member Derbyshire County Diane Tranter to stand for Council has completed election to the Board of its investigations into a the BHS. The elections number of BOAT claims. are in July. We hope she gets elected as riders need It has decided that Black as many people on the Sarah Burnley has organised annual long distance rides for Harry Lane, , BHS Board as possible fellow Exmoor pony owners for the past six years. She is a bridleway and that Mires who really understand recruits her fellow riders from the Exmoor pony forum Road, which joins Black the access and safety and it’s not hard to see why these excursions are proving Harry Lane at Black Harry issues faced by grassroots popular, with previous rides taking place all over the gate, is part BOAT and part members who hack out in country, across some of the most breath-taking and scenic restricted byway. If these the countryside. countryside in the UK. decisions are confirmed at public inquiry they will make If you are a BHS member, Last year’s ride was a 45 mile circular route around Mires Road a dead end for please consider voting for the Peak National Park from Tideswell to Edale then motor vehicles and see the Di. If you are not a member, onto High Peak and back to Tideswell. Severe weather end of 4x4s and motor bikes please consider joining in conditions meant shortening the route by about 10 miles on all but one of the tracks time to be able to vote but Sarah says it was still a challenge for both pony and rider to navigate varying and unfamiliar terrain. we use for the annual Black Harry ride. The public inquiry PLEASURE RIDE The ride took in some of the long-distance Kinder Loop developed by PHP. into the BOAT claim on Black AUGUST 17TH If you ride an Exmoor and would like to know about this Harry Lane will be on 21/22 October. There is no date yet We will be having year’s ride, you can contact Sarah at: Sarah.Burnley@ for an inquiry into the Mires capita.co.uk another joint pleasure Road BOAT claim. ride with EGB in August. Three other BOAT We will be meeting at claims over riding routes Rheinstor Cottage, Alport, in the Longstone Edge by kind invitation of Charlie area (Bramley Lane, Peak and Charlotte Gilbert. Pasture and the route from There will be two routes of Longstone Edge down to approximately 6 miles and Rowland) will be decided 12 miles along bridleways by DCC later this year. We and quiet lanes. More expect each of them to details to follow but please end up in a public inquiry, put the date in your diaries probably in 2015. now! Concessionary Bridleways The National at Longshaw Trust have opened up some concessionary cycle and horse riding routes at Longshaw. The two main drives are open - see map for details. The routes split when they get to Longshaw Lodge, with horses just using the rear drive and connecting via the route down the side of the rhododendrons. Cyclists only can use a dismount route in front of the Lodge because it’s too narrow, too busy, and has very low yew trees, for horses, The NT have put in Bridleway gates, or replaced some of the white gates. The routes are also way marked across the Estate. There will be mounting blocks installed at some of the gates in the near future. A connection towards the Green drive that goes up the Burbage Valley is on hold for this year until the forestry work there is completed. The National Trust has made this concession to horse riders for which we should all be extremely grateful. The Longshaw Estate is a very popular venue. The drives are not too strenuous a challenge so you may find elderly walkers and families with young children along your ride. Please pass them at Parking: © National Trust 2014. National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846 walk and don’t be tempted If you are arriving in a box or trailer, please park in the car park at Wooden Pole. The main car to canter unless you can park is far too busy. Its easy to connect to the routes from Wooden Pole. The paths will be way see your way ahead is marked and the maps amended to highlight this as the place to park. completely clear. Longshaw is extremely popular. On fine weekends, bank holidays etc the car park will not be Concessions can be easy to negotiate, so pick your time to visit. withdrawn! Welcome to: MADBAG The recently formed Matlock and District Bridleways Access Group, which goes under the wonderful acronym MADBAG, is the latest Peak District bridleway group to affiliate to PHP. We think that this means that every bridleway group in the Peak is now affiliated to PHP. This is excellent news as it gives us maximum clout when we are pressing for improved access and safety for riders.

Monksdale Lane, Police and Crime Commissioner The Peak District Green Lanes Alliance (PDGLA) had a meeting in March with Tideswell the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire and senior traffic DCC has decided that the officers. majority of Monksdale The agenda was the need for more vigorous enforcement action against illegal and dangerous Lane is a bridleway. offroading. There will be a follow up meeting with the Police Division which looks after the Derbyshire Dales. Always report any illegal offroading on bridleways, footpaths and restricted It says one short section byways using the 101 telephone number. Also report any dangerous driving offroad. Always only is a BOAT. We expect ask for a Police incident number. Unless there is an incident number, there is no record and the offroading organisations nothing gets done. Anyone who feels that the Police have failed to deal with complaints in to challenge the DCC a professional manner should report this to the Commissioner. The Police Commissioner is decision, which will lead to Alan Charles. You can make complaints via www.derbyshire-pcc.gov.uk/Your-Views/Make-a- yet another public inquiry. Complaint/Complaints.aspx

AlwaysA Black Harry ride PHP Committee Always The PHP Black Harry ride is becoming an annual event and Wendy Neilson (Chair) we plan to run it again this autumn. Meanwhile, this is what Sue Dunk (Treasurer) Dial 101 one of our members sent to us about taking part in the ride Sue Mayer (Secretary) we held last autumn. Mark Fidler Please remember to ‘This was the second time that I rode the Black Harry ride. The Charlotte Gilbert report to the police any previous year we did nearly all the ride in cloud so this year I was Christine Harding (DPBW) dangerous incidents you hoping to actually be able to appreciate the fantastic views. The Julia Heesterman see involving offroad weather was kind to us as it was mild and it didn’t rain. I was one Hilary Stephens vehicles. And please of the first to arrive at the venue and found the parking easy. Patricia Stubbs (off-roading) Diane Tranter report any use of The route was lovely going and the canter up the Taylor Lane Ally Turner bridleways by motor track was just amazing. There were some lovely people opening gates; some part of PHP but, interestingly enough, one gate was Nicola Tym (HVRC) bikes, quads and 4x4s. Louisa Wilson (SPEED) Taking a motor vehicle manned by a friendly group of 4x4 enthusiasts who seemed determined to give a good impression. The beautiful views that Margaret Slater (MADBAG) onto a bridleway is illegal. you get from the ridge behind Great Longstone were incredible Just dial 101. Always ask and one of the best features of the ride. We got back safely Representatives of all the for an incident number. and in good time, feeling very pleased with ourselves and happy riding clubs and groups Without one your with the whole day. We even collected a rosette and a welcome affiliated to PHP receive complaint doesn’t make Quality Street chocolate!’ agendas and minutes and it into the statistics. can also attend committee. meetings. Contacting PHP [email protected] You can now follow us on twitter: @Peak_horsepower www.peakhorsepower.co.uk