Park denies trail bans in High Peak were political

The Peak District National Park has hit back at the Trail Riders Fellowship who last week questioned their motives over excluding four-by-fours and trail bikes on green lanes in High Peak.

Chapel Gate, a bridleway south west of Edale, and the Roych, a dirt track near Chinley, will both be subject to full traffic regulation orders later this month.

As reported, the fellowship questioned the allegiances of the chairman of the committee, Christopher Pennell, who ruled on the ban, claiming he was “ a key supporter of a political group that has led the campaign to remove vehicular rights”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A spokesman from the authority responded: “In fact Mr Pennell is a supporter of Friends of the Peak District, which is a charity, not a political group. The committee operates entirely democratically, with each member voting individually. This is an open and transparent process after lengthy public consultations, taking all relevant arguments and evidence put before them.

“The decisions taken in order to protect special landscapes in the national park were carried by an overwhelming majority, and Mr Pennell has never had to use his casting vote.”