History of the Goyt Valley Traffic Management Scheme

History of the Goyt Valley Traffic Management Scheme The Goyt Valley Traffic Management Scheme came about as a direct result of the opening of Errwood Reservoir in 1967, with the area becoming a popular destination for weekend visitors who came primarily to watch the sailing boats1. The new higher levels of traffic impacted upon road safety on the narrow roads within the area, an issue further complicated by pedestrian usage. In addition the parked cars were causing visual intrusion, whilst the areas where they “pulled off the road” were subject to erosion. The Goyt Valley was described at the time in the following terms “an area of sensitive landscape and ecological interest under intense pressure from car-borne visitors attracted by water and open country…..in short it can be viewed as an environmental area which needs to be freed from the adverse impact of traffic2”. The designation of the Upper Goyt Valley as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with respect to its relict oak-birch woodlands and woodland-grassland transition further emphasised the need for a sensitive approach to traffic and visitor management within the area. In order to ascertain the situation within the Goyt Valley, the Countryside Commission sponsored a number of surveys of visitor activity within the area during 1969, these resulted in proposals for experimental weekend traffic management scheme, the basis of which was the exclusion of cars with alternative access being provided by minibuses. The nature of the valley made this an ideal test for such a scheme, with only three points of access and no resident population (exemption was provided for sailing club members). Agreement was reached between the Peak Park Planning Board and the Countryside Commission regarding the desirability of the experiment, which was to consist of the closure of three roads into the Valley, with the provision of car parks immediately before the road affected by closure. This would affect approximately 8.85km of road, with minibuses travelling along the traffic-free areas, calling at each car park in turn, and thus providing alternate means of access, with the roads being relatively traffic free for those wishing to walk. Closure of the road was set to operate for 8 hours per day on summer Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. Draft proposals for the scheme were approved by the ‘Positive Action Committee’ of the Peak Park Planning Board on 23rd December 1969, and were presented to the Countryside Commission on 2nd January 1970, who agreed a provisional budget of £17,500 over two years fro the scheme. Consultation with the landowners (Stockport & District Water Board), leaseholders, Forestry Commission, Highway Authority (Derbyshire County Council) and the police; was then undertaken. The Order closing the road to traffic as part of an experimental scheme was put in place by Derbyshire County Council on 21st May 1970, with the ban on traffic being effective between 10am and 6pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays between 23rd May and 30th September 1970. Exemptions were made for access to property, and sailing club members, with Car Park Marshals allowed to act with discretion with regard to vehicles carrying elderly, infirm or disabled passengers. In order to progress with experiment a total capital investment of £7,300 was made to cover the cost of car parks, toilets, footpaths, signage, information boards etc. Most work had been completed by the time of the implementation of the scheme on 4th July 1970. During the inaugural season the scheme operated for 13 weeks, with 4 temporary car parks (capacity for 300 cars), beyond the car parks barriers were put in operation with marshals to explain the scheme to visitors. Free minibuses operated to provide alternative means of access when the road closure was in operation. Modifications were made to the scheme for 1971, largely due to operating costs particularly on the Saturday, when the number of visitors was lower. These included a contracted scheme on Saturdays, with the road closure affecting only the main valley road from Errwood to Goytsclough quarry. In addition a Sunday parking charge was introduced to help to recoup the costs of providing the minibus. 1 The Goyt Valley Traffic Experiment (December 1972), Countryside Commission and Peak District National Park Authority. 2 An Experiment in Recreation Traffic Management (October 1969), Countryside Commission Working Paper, quoted within The Goyt Valley Traffic Experiment (December 1972), Countryside Commission and Peak District National Park Authority. A report regarding the first two years of the experiment suggests that when the scheme was in operation the number of visitors to the valley fell by 35%3. In 1972 the responsibility for traffic management within the Goyt Valley passed from the Countryside Commission to the Peak Park Planning Board resulting in a scaling down in comparison to the experimental scheme. This scheme retained the minibus service, linking car parks in the lower part of the valley (The Street – Errwood Hall) and the upper part of the valley (Goystsclough Quarry – Derbyshire Bridge). Both these sections were closed except for minibus and car park access. In addition the road between Errwood Hall and Goytsclough Quarry was closed to all vehicles (with no minibus operation). The scheme was also only in operation on Summer Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays (10:30 – 18:30) from 28th May – 24th September. A review of the scheme was carried out in 1976 leading to a gradual removal of the Park & Ride minibus service throughout the late ‘70s and early ‘80s to be replaced by a system of Park & Walk, whilst the traffic free zone was extended to include the Errwood Hall – The Street section. The scheme became permanent in 1982, with minibus access from Buxton twice daily on summer Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays (this service has since ceased to operate). Over the operation of the scheme there have been a number of Traffic Orders put in place to cope with its evolution. The current orders are: - i. The Goyt Valley Prohibition of Driving Order 1978 ( weekend road closure) revoked an earlier order of 1974. ii. The Goyt Valley Prohibition of Driving Order (Motor Coaches) 1989 revoked an earlier order of 1974. iii. The Goyts Clough One-way Traffic Order is effective from 10 July 1980. As of 2002, the scheme had led to the following: - A central two-mile section of road that is kept free of traffic on Summer Sundays and Bank Holidays. 6 major car parks with spaces for over 300 cars. A selection of additional lay-bys for visitor parking away from the main car parks. 4 picnic areas and 3 toilet blocks (including facilities for the disabled). 2 car parks reserved for the disabled, each linked to wheelchair routes. TN/A8706 24/11/06 3 The Goyt Valley Traffic Experiment (December 1972), Countryside Commission and Peak District National Park Authority. .

Load more