Mountain bike trail in the woods plan is turned down
TOWN councillors have given a unanimous refusal to a plan to set up official mountain bike trails in Bradley Wood.
Biking enthusiast Stuart Mcleod, who lives in Ashbourne, had approached the councillors in the summer for permission to set up managed trails in the beauty spot, owned by the town in perpetuity.
Ashbourne Town Council, which is responsible for managing the wood, invited Mr Mcleod to present his ideas to the environment committee and, at a meeting last week, the committee was tasked with deciding whether to pass on a recommendation to the full council to pursue the idea.
The five members were given a chance to give their thoughts individually by the chairman, Councillor Anthony Bates.
Cllr Martin Spencer was first to comment, and he said his mind had not been changed by Mr Mcleod’s presentation and he was against it in principle.
Cllr Sean Clayton agreed, citing the potential environmental impact but Cllr Sue Hodgson told members her views were “mixed”. She said: “I feel strongly that the wood should be used by all members of our community and there has been a positive response from people who are very keen to see it.
“I just wonder if there is any way around the environmental objections and whether we can help this group find another venue.
“I think that perhaps we haven’t explored it as fully as we might, in terms of what could be done there without the environmental impact we envisage.”
Mr Mcleod had pointed out to councillors that he was willing to be shadowed by an ecologist when planning any groundworks, which would all be carried out with no machinery, and he also explained that active, managed trails could deter motorbike users who are illegally turning up at the wood.
Mountain bikers are already using Bradley Wood as a playground, he said, but by forming an association to ensure it is done safely and away from pedestrians, the town council would have a chance to control it.
The town’s mayor Jane Harris, said she was “dead against it”, largely on the grounds of safety. “I’m sorry, but it isn’t safe, not in this day and age. So I’m dead against it,” she said.
Cllr Ian Bates said he supported Cllr Hodgson’s more positive views, but said Bradley Wood was a “no” for him. And, when it came to the vote, Cllr Anthony Bates, chairing the meeting, joined all the other councillors in a vote to turn Mr Mcleod’s proposal down.
Cllr Clayton did add that he would be keen to work with Mr Mcleod on finding another site in the town centre, as he recognised there was a need.
Following the meeting, Mr Mcleod said: “I am disappointed that the council does not want to proceed.
“Bradley Wood will continue to be used for mountain biking by a growing core of local riders. I feel that this decision is a missed opportunity for the council to work with a committed group of locals in improving the trails.”