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What's New?National Park welcomes the Way of the RosesMonday 06 September 2010 Cyclists visiting the Yorkshire Dales National Park will be able to try out a new route from next weekend. (September 11th 2010) Saturday will see the launch of the new 170-mile Way of the Roses cycle route from Morecambe to Bridlington via Lancaster, the Forest of Bowland, the National Park, Nidderdale, Ripon, York and the Yorkshire Wolds. The name is a play on the War of the Roses but, for this project, peace has broken out between Lancashire and Yorkshire as local authorities worked closely in partnership to plan this stunning cycle route. It is being launched on September 11 to tie in with the 15th anniversary of the National Cycle Network, which was developed by the UK sustainable transport charity Sustrans. Andy Ryland, Transport and Visitor Management Officer for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA), said: “Cycling is growing in popularity and this new route will bring benefits to local businesses – including B&Bs, cafés, pubs and cycle shops – in the Yorkshire Dales and along the entire route. “The YDNPA has contributed towards funding to the development of the route through its recreational activities budgets and its Sustainable Development Fund, which is managed by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust. “We have also helped plan the 24-mile section through the National Park from Settle to Keld Houses and, at an early stage, we were instrumental in bringing the partners together. “The idea for the route came from Lancashire County Council – their cycling officer Alasdair (correct) Simpson approached us. We arranged a meeting at the Leeds office of Sustrans with North Yorkshire County Council’s cycling officer where we drafted an initial idea for the route and persuaded Sustrans to map it and other local authorities and partners to come on board. “This has been a great collaboration between local authorities in Yorkshire and Lancashire, who have worked really well together. “The YDNPA, Lancashire County Council, The Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and North Yorkshire County Council and other partners from both sides of the county have all contributed to bringing the Way of the Roses cycle route into being and the Yorkshire Dales Leader programme has paid for a consultant to look at local cultural feature and heritage site that people can visit on the way. “We believe the route will bring more people in to the National Park in a sustainable way to understand and enjoy its special qualities – and help the local economy at the same time. “ Sustrans' Regional Director for Yorkshire, David Hall, said: "The Way of the Roses runs through some of northern England's most stunning countryside with beautiful coastal scenery either side of the route. Whether cyclists choose to tackle the whole 170 mile length of the path as part of a challenge ride adventure, or enjoy a leisurely ride across sections of the route, Way of the Roses is suitable for use by people of varying ability and interest." Yorkshire Dales Leader contributed £4,000 towards the appointment of an artist to develop an original public art concept for the route and celebrate the distinctive characters, cultural and heritage of the Yorkshire and Lancashire counties. The project will lead to the installation of public art along the Way of the Roses cycle route helping attract interest in and raise the profile of the new cycle route. The Way of the Roses is one of seven UK 'coast to coast' routes on the National Cycle Network. For more information on the route and to buy a map see www.sustrans.org.uk. Street Clutter to be CutTuesday 31 August 2010 Councils are being urged to get rid of unnecessary signs, railings, and advertising hoardings in a bid to make streets tidier and less confusing for motorists and pedestrians. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and Transport Secretary Philip Hammond are concerned that the character of the country’s urban spaces is being damaged and have written to councils leaders calling on them to reduce the number of signs and other ‘street clutter’. The Government believes that in some cases traffic signs and railings are installed by councils in the mistaken belief that they are legally required. However, although some signs are required by law, Government advice is that for signs to be most effective they should be kept to a minimum. To help councils do this the Department for Transport is reviewing traffic signs policy and new advice on how to reduce clutter will be published later this year. Ministers want communities to inform local authorities of particularly bad examples of clutter as part of the Big Society in action. Organisations who promote good urban design like Civic Voice, Living Streets and fixmystreet.com are already helping people alert councils to examples of clutter and showing people how to carry out street audits. Eric Pickles said: “Our streets are losing their English character. We are being overrun by scruffy signs, bossy bollards, patchwork paving and railed off roads wasting taxpayers' money that could be better spent on fixing potholes or keeping council tax down. We need to ‘cut the clutter’. “Too many overly cautious townhall officials are citing safety regulations as the reason for cluttering up our streets with an obstacle course when the truth is very little is dictated by law. Common sense tells us uncluttered streets have a fresher, freer authentic feel, which are safer and easier to maintain. “Organisations like Civic Voice, Living Streets and fixmystreet can help councils provide a Big Society solution – local people carrying out street audits will bring power and character back to neighbourhoods.” Philip Hammond said: "We all know that some signs are necessary to make our roads safe and help traffic flow freely. But unnecessary street furniture is a waste of taxpayers' money and leaves our streets looking more like scrap yards than public spaces. "We have written to councils to remind them that it need not be this way - we don't need all this clutter confusing motorists, obstructing pedestrians and hindering those with disabilities who are trying to navigate our streets. "Empowered local communities working together with councils can bring an end to this blight on our national landscape." Salisbury is a beautiful Cathedral City, full of history and renowned architecture. However the Salisbury Civic Society concluded, after carrying out a survey of over 60 streets, that it has become cluttered over time markedly reducing its character. They found the city centre was littered with hundreds of bollards. For example one parking area for 53 cars had 63 bollards. They now have a comprehensive public realm strategy aimed at creating an attractive, safe, clean and green city. Tony Burton, Director of Civic Voice, said: “Too many streets are plagued with pointless clutter, blighting the local environment and people’s lives. Civic Voice believes in streets we can all be proud of. Our Street Pride campaign gives people the power to make a difference. With today’s welcome backing from the Government we should reclaim our streets and see them cleared of clutter.” In addition to reducing clutter, well designed streets can also help reduce accidents. Street clutter was removed from Kensington High Street, which has helped reduce accidents by up to 47%. The revamp of Oxford Circus reduced street clutter and barriers and introduced a diagonal crossing to let pedestrians navigate one of London’s busiest intersections faster. Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets, said: “It’s about time action was taken on our cluttered streets. For too long have pedestrians had to struggle with unnecessary bollards, guard-railing and pointless signs. Community involvement, stronger guidance from central government and a coordinated approach from local councils are all crucial ingredients to rid our streets of unnecessary obstacles for pedestrians. Councils in particular should ensure that de-cluttering is prioritised and championed across all departments. “Through our own audits with local communities and councils, we have found that stripping back street clutter transforms our streets from trip hazards to enjoyable open spaces where people want to walk. We welcome this step towards cutting the clutter.” The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment’s (CABE) technical design expertise has also helped councils and communities with practical advice on cutting clutter and creating the best public space. Work ends to keep drivers on trackTuesday 31 August 2010 Boulders, fencing and landscaping are being used to help ‘green lane’ drivers to stay on track on a byway in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Habitats next to the Stake Moss byway – which runs from Kidstones Pass near Cray north west to Stalling Busk – have been damaged by motor vehicle drivers who have chosen to leave the well-surfaced route and trespass onto private land on each side of it. Now the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) has carried out work to stop further damage occurring. Mark Allum, the YDNPA’s Access Projects Officer, said: “From time to time there are issues on a number of unsurfaced routes used by motor vehicles, where drivers leave a well-defined track and go ‘off-piste’, trespassing on to adjacent land. “This can create unnecessary ruts and damage valuable habitats, as well as leaving visual scars on the landscape. It also damages the reputation of the large majority of 4x4 drivers and motorcyclists who act in a legal and responsible manner. “There really is no reason why recreational 4x4 drivers need to leave this track, or take short cuts on the corners. “The ruts that are formed not only look unsightly but can lead to water courses being formed that create further erosion. Hopefully the measures taken will be sufficient and the landscaping should allow the ground to recover quickly.” The National Park Authority has also worked with Mark Dale and Stuart Monk, who represent motor vehicle users on the Yorkshire Dales Green Lanes Advisory Group, to produce signs that let drivers know about the problems being caused. The Group provides guidance and advice to the Authority on the management of individual ‘green lanes’. Stuart said: “We would urge recreational motor vehicle users to stick to the defined route. The vast majority of motor vehicle users drive along byways in a responsible and careful way, but it only takes the actions of a few to give our pastime a bad name.” The Stake Road byway was one of the routes looked at by the Advisory Group, and the measures taken to maintain the track were identified as part of the management plan for the route. |
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