Better Outside
South West Peak
Access Workshop
Workshop Report
10:00 – 13:00
Wednesday 18 May 2016
Manifold C of E Academy
Facilitated by Pete Spriggs
Clearer Thinking
M: 07749 821 438
E: xxxx.xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xx.xx
www.clearerthinking.co.uk
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Sharing our knowledge about the routes
The purpose of this session was to explore the potential of the routes in more detail.
For each route a short (3 - 5 min) film had been made which captured some of the issues,
opportunities and key features (views, buildings, surfacing, gradient, stiles etc.) along the
route. An accompanying map provided the geographical context.
The routes were as fol ows:
a) Tittesworth / Marsh Farm loop
b) Warslow Vil age
c) Cat and Fiddle
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d) Goyt’s Lane disused railway track
e) Revidge – Warslow Estate
f) Fernilee Reservoir
Working in smal groups. Each group started at a different route. Participants were asked
to view the film on the iPads, look at the map, share their knowledge and note down
comments about the route under:
a) Current strengths; and;
b) Areas for improvement against the fol owing headings:
1. Access to heritage
2. Access to wildlife / nature
3. Landscape and views
4. Parking (in particular disabled parking)
5. Access to facilities e.g. toilets / café
Space was provided for ‘other comments’ to be noted as necessary. Groups moved
round each route, building on the content generated.
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4. Parking (in particular disabled parking)
• Car park associated with the pub other side of the road.
• Lay-by parking by gate (but needs major improvement and safety considerations).
5. Access to facilities e.g. toilets / café
• Pub (currently closed) would depend on new landlord if toilet available!
• Peak view café just down the road. Bus route - stop.
Areas for improvement
1. Access to heritage
• Interpretation on the route and other near by features.
2. Access to wildlife / nature
• Surface improvements to al ow access al the way along the route.
• Appropriate surface improvements.
3. Landscape and views
• Interpretation / signage to view point.
4. Parking (in particular disabled parking)
• Would have to cross the road between the pub car park and route.
• Lay by improvements required.
• How practical is it to improve lay-by?
• Car parking for disabled.
5. Access to facilities e.g. toilets / café
• Future of the pub?
• Cat and Fiddle needs re-opening and to be an attraction, over night
accommodation, visitor centre, cycle and tramper hire, link to grit stone trail scope
to extend route.
Other comments
- Balance of cost to make safe compared to short distance of route?
- Wet and muddy, work needed and on width and surface of route.
- Potential to extend route further but needs maintenance and drainage closer to
Congleton Road.
- Limited appeal of the route if the pub is to remain closed.
- Route very popular with mountain bikers doing the Macclesfield Forest loop.
Improving the trail would reduce enjoyment of the route and may lead to
complaints of sanitisation as has happened on other sensitive routes.
- Improvement of the surface may increase mountain bikers speed causing conflict
between users.
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The fol owing extension to the route was suggested by one of the groups:
Comments provided via email by an invitee unable to attend:
• Cat and Fiddle – spectacular views and an opportunity to be able to access the
wilder areas and to escape the busy A537 at a known landmark. However does not
lead to a particular feature and dedicated car parking required. The future of the
pub presently unknown.
Goyt’s Lane disused railway track
Current Strengths
1. Access to heritage
• Disused railway - opportunity for interpretation.
2. Access to wildlife / nature
• Very good. Remoteness / wildness yet easily accessible.
3. Landscape and views
• Very good, excel ent.
• Sense of tranquil ity and isolation but close to Buxton.
• Lovely area, great view and wilderness feel but not too far from towns.
4. Parking (in particular disabled parking)
• Good but needs maintenance (pot holes, signage poor etc.)
5. Access to facilities e.g. toilets / café
• None in the immediate area (closed toilet at bottom of lane).
• Toilet to be reopened when United Utilities have instal ed water pipe.
Areas for improvement
1. Access to heritage
• Some interpretation.
• Interpretive benches rather than interpretation panels would better fit into this
location.
2. Access to wildlife / nature
• No comments.
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3. Landscape and views
• No comments.
4. Parking (in particular disabled parking)
• Needs maintenance.
• Alternative parking above 'Bunsal Cob' linking path would mean easier access and
no need to cross the road (blind corner).
5. Access to facilities e.g. toilets / café
• Toilets in val ey currently closed but are due to reopen see above. No café, visitor
centre etc.
• Scope for partnership work United Utilities/Sailing Club (fishing for
disabled/parking/visitor centre/café etc).
• Emergency cal . Picnic area. Wheely boat[?] Could benefit from ‘Changing
Places’ toilet nearby. Seating parking. Income for sailing club. Refreshments.
• Visitor centre?? Partnership with United Utilities, FC, PDNPA, others.
Other comments
Potential to link with other routes e.g. North to reservoir.
- Opportunities for circular walks i.e. 'this route is uneven and can be wet at certain
times' interpretation.
- Target - mobility users with this route.
This applies to al 6 routes unless they are circular who are they going to appeal to
or be aimed at?
- Base surface exists but needs maintenance - grass, potholes, bumps etc.
- Accessible transport.
Include facts / information board next to seating area.
Comments provided via email by an invitee unable to attend:
• Goyt – good range of heritage features and proximity to Buxton. Consider the
specification and the length of the path that is proposed for resurfacing and
drainage. Potential opportunity to seek a contribution from United Utilities? Parking
available but no other facilities.
Revidge – Warslow Estate
Current Strengths
1. Access to heritage
• Views of farmland, field barns and farm buildings. Opportunity to interpret these.
2. Access to wildlife / nature
• Good area for birds etc.
• Quiet area to view wildlife.
3. Landscape and views
• Nice views, tranquil, access to wildlife - birds, bees etc.
• Views over field barns and traditional hay meadows.
4. Parking (in particular disabled parking)
• Some informal parking currently available.
• Parking facilities in Warslow Vil age itself - good for able-bodied people.
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5. Access to facilities e.g. toilets / café
• For more able people toilets in Warslow Vil age including disabled toilet but not
‘Changing Places’ toilet.
• Facilities at Longnor Vil age.
Areas for improvement
1. Access to heritage
• Interpretation to explain landscape maybe signed post or boards with Heritage
information.
2. Access to wildlife / nature
• No comments.
3. Landscape and views
• Facilities e.g. bench to sit and enjoy the view / landscape especially for people
who are not able to walk far.
• View point interpretation.
4. Parking (in particular disabled parking)
• If track used by farmer and with a vehicle would this degrade the surface?
• Improve informal parking:- area for disabled only, allow other parking in Warslow
(clough head?)
5. Access to facilities e.g. toilets / café
• Need facilities nearer - access is too far from suggested route.
• Access to trig point (need some point to go to) negotiation with Natural England.
Other comments
- Improve drainage the current 'railway sleepers' look dangerous.
- Can the current vehicle access arrangements be altered?
- Any improvements to the track may be damaged by current 4x4 (farm?) access.
- Very short out and back route - if you were disabled it’s a lot of effort to get there.
- Off site information is needed so people are aware of the opportunities at this site.
- Could it be extended?
- Use by MOD vehicles as part of military training area.
- Cattle grazing (on track) mid July - end of Oct.
- Why not focus on improving section North to trig point from Warslow village? Surely
this is main catchment?
- All mention effort and time it takes for people with severe disabilities to get there.
What can Hayes Farm offer?? Cream tea?? Etc.
Comments provided via email by an invitee unable to attend:
• Revidge Access to Trig Pil ar is welcome. Unsure about the extent of works
required and hence the cost.
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Appendix 1 – Initial cost estimates
Fol owing the workshop initial cost estimates for the Goyt’s Lane and Fernilee routes were
generated (see below).
Please note: the feasibility of these routes going ahead wil depend on the ability to obtain
the necessary match funding.
Fernilee Reservoir eastern track surfacing estimate 2016
This estimate is based on the specification that is used by the Authority for resurfacing the
trails and uses “Toptrec” or similar products for the surfacing. The surfacing is suitable for
access for all.
Overal length 1400 m
Overal width 3 m
This trail wil be accessed from a car park at the northern end of the trail, and although it is
possible to access the dam top at the southern end of the reservoir the access is up a very
steep long route. This wil therefore be a there and back route as is the Goyt’s Lane trail. If
wheelchair access is required at the southern end then the gate arrangement needs to
be altered to allow easy wheelchair access. I have not included these costs within the
estimate.
This route is also regularly used by maintenance vehicles of UU and the NP ranger. This has
caused pot holes and a consequence is that a sum of money should be made available
for regular annual maintenance.
As this trail is regularly used by vehicles, potholes are a problem in some sections, I have
therefore made an additional al owance to resolve these issues. There are also sections of
the reservoir bank which have large amounts of self-set trees. Ideal y there should be a
programme of removal/pruning not least to maintain the reservoir bank, but to open up
views of the reservoir and to help with the drainage of the trail.
Some seats are provided along the route but additional seats would be an advantage. In
this location I would recommend simple bench seats with a hard surfaced area adjacent
to the seat for wheel chairs, seats could be placed at regular intervals to act as measuring
points. Seats could be donated by different community groups/organisations.
The existing car park at the head of the dam is smal and heavily used and there is
potential abasement of parking if it was all identified for blue badge holders. In addition
the path to the start of the trail is along a heavily repaired and potholed tarmac road
which is impassable for wheel chairs. There are two alternatives, which I have priced
separately.
1. Provide a new 2.0 m wide path adjacent to the road, 330 m.
2. Provide a new parking area adjacent to the start of the trail for 3 blue badge
holders.
Resurfacing of the trail
£30000
Provide a new footpath to the existing car park or
£3700
Provide a new car park for 3 Blue badge holders
£2600
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Goyt’s Lane surfacing estimate 2016
This estimate is based on the specification that is used by the Authority for resurfacing the
trails and uses “Toptrec” or similar products for the surfacing. The surfacing is suitable for
access for all.
Overal length 1880 m
Overal width 3 m
This width al ows for an overal minimum width of 2 m of clear path with the edges being
allowed to grow over to help blend the path into the landscape. It also allows for a
surface capable of occasional maintenance/rescue vehicles. I have also al owed for
minor surfacing around the existing seats, but not seating.
In this location I would recommend simple bench seats with a hard surfaced area
adjacent to the seat for wheel chairs, seats could be placed at regular intervals to act as
measuring points. Seats could be donated by different community groups/organisations.
There is an al owance for improving drainage where required and whilst on site it may be
possible to increase open water on a couple of wet areas immediately adjacent to the
trail, subject to SSSI approval.
The existing metal access gate required to prevent unauthorised vehicular access to the
trail, also restricts access for anything wider than a wheel chair. Consideration should be
given as to its need in the future.
The wooden access gate from the trail to the gate is difficult to use and it is clear that
people are walking around the gate; this wil need to be improved to allow for easier
wheelchair access.
Maintenance wil be required on this trail and a sum of money should be al ocated.
I have also looked at the car park for blue badge holders. In its current state it is
unsuitable for use for less able people and wheelchairs with uneven surfacing and large
areas of standing water. Due to its size and location it is a heavily used car park and
resurfacing with “Toptrec” would not solve the problem, the site would require regular
annual maintenance to fil potholes. I have therefore priced for an ashfelt (tarmacadam)
surface with a minor increase in size to improve spacing for turning, road marking of
disability bays and improved drainage. This also has the benefit of future low
maintenance.
Resurfacing trail and associated works
£35600
Repairing and resurfacing car park
£13000
Total
£48600
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