Planning Application - Former Midland Mainline between Bakewell and Rowsley

I came upon this by chance via a Mountain Bike forum. The Peak District National Park Authority have received a Planning Application in respect of the creation of a cycle route from Bakewell (Coombs Road) to Rowsley.

The attached link takes you to the PDNPA webpage for this application, it includes all letters / emails of support and objections. It is very interesting

Planning Application Search - Peak District National Park Authority

I think that you can still submit letters / emails of objection or support - it does look like there are more supporting the application than against

 

Like many, I would like to see the railway restored but Peak Rail seem to have become moribund in relation to extension beyond Rowsley. Much of this has probably come from years of discouraging noises from the major landowner. At least a cycle route will preserve the right-of-way and leave the possiblity of railway restoration available to a future generation.

 

In theory i am for the the cycle route - although there are currently routes available - as long as the route is protected for any potential re-instatement of the railway line. I have a slight unease about how people will get to the cycle route i.e. personal transport and somewhat bizarrely impact on the environment based on having seen the explosion of visitors to the upper end of the Monsal Trail which were previously preserved. Personally i would prefer the rail line to be re-instated with the opportunity for a cycle path running alongside

 

I cycled the Monsal Trail last year soon after the various tunnels had been reopened and found space to park at Hassop. There also looked to be plenty of parking at Millers Dale station. In Bakewell I think you can park at the cattle market and there is a footpath to the current southern end of the trail at Coombs road viaduct.
Personally I see it as a win/win situation. The rail route is preserved, and the locality benefits from more visitors who generally spend money locally.

I assume the applicants have been able to pursuade the Haddon Estate to allow the cycle route through. You will recall that they were said to be very much opposed to reinstatement of the railway.

This at least preserves the basic trackbed for the future.

Maybe Peak Rail should look on this extension of the cycleway as something they can develop with charged-for parking and catering at Rowsley?

Edit: Some of those supporting the application mention bridging the A6 in Rowsley. Surely bells should be ringing with Peak Rail's managers!! need I say any more?

 

I think this is great for peak rail, lets face it the dream of the lines rebirth to Buxton is over. For now anyway.
Now resources can be fully concerntrated on improving the existing line. If the cycle path is built soon then I and many others from Sheffield and surrounding cities have another route into the peak district. Take the train to Matlock, ride PR or cycle to join the trail. I take it the cut and cover tunnel at Haddon will be restored.

maybe a venture for peak rail could be to offer cycle hire?

 

That was my point, Peak Rail should throw their weight behind a bridge over the A6 at Rowsley, even if for now it is a pedestrian/cycle bridge only. Then with some trackbed tree clearance the cycleway could reach Rowsley South, and you have considerable commercial possibilities there for the taking.

 

I would support the cycle route. I believe you can run a cycle route parallel to a railway (eg WHR) and a real challenge would be to get that done from Blackwell Mill to Buxton! Dare I say also Rowsley to Matlock? Do Network rail have the courage to allow Matlock southwards? Conversely, the CHPR is still the best trail going.

Incidentally there is a PR response which is cautiously OK provided future rail is not excluded.

http://pam.peakdistrict.gov.uk/files/13212982.pdf

 

I understand PR are involved with the cycle path proposal between Rowsley and Darley Dale. It would not surprise me if they were behind the scenes on this application too.

Quite frankly, it's all intrinsically symbiotic...LOL

 

Yes, I've heard mention of a dual rail/cycle path bridge over the A6.

Dave

 

Have you met Sustrans and their like ?!.

Peak Rail rarely make noises about extending, even if it's a long term ambition so it's not really a suprise the trackbed is being looked at for other uses.