The ongoing war of wits between the Peaks and Derbyshire Vehicles Users Group and the Peak District National Parks Authority took a more jovial turn last month when 60 bikers and 40 four-by-four drivers ran a family fun day. The event included a survey canvassing local opinion on vehicles using the park’s unsurfaced roads. If the park authority has its way, the roads will be closed to two and four wheels. Most of those surveyed said they had no problem with vehicles using the park’s roads. Not surprisingly, local business owners said they welcomed the extra trade that bikers bring to the area.
User group secretary Brian Nicholls said: “We had a number of informal conversations with the park authority’s staff and we are confident the plans to close the park’s best lanes to vehicles are the work of an unelected and unrepresentative minority, who are pulling strings behind the scenes. Our only disappointment was that we were not able to meet Jim Dixon, the park’s chief executive. We understand he was on holiday. We hope he returns refreshed and with a less jaded view of recreational motoring.”
Such was the success of the day, the users group is now drawing up plans for a return to the park with a national festival of trail riding. Let battle continue!