STANAGE PROTEST

Take Back the Tracks Rally   - David Gadd

Over a hundred people met at the Stanage Pole to protest about the use of vehicles on the so-called 'green lanes' on 9th July. A message of good wishes from Roy Hattersley was read out and then Ann Robinson, from Friends of the Peak District, gave a good 10 minute speech. She put the use of the green lanes into historical context (some people can remember when they were actually green) before saying how inappropriate it is for any vehicles to be using tracks in a national park. She also mentioned the cost of maintaining the tracks, particularly important at a time when funding is being reduced.

Bizarrely, a trail biker then came forward to speak. He said how much he loved the beauty of the countyside, how his parents were walkers and his sister a rock climber and that his parents said that walkers cause more damage than trail bikes. He obviously hadn't been loistening to Ann Robinson!

1st photo shows a party of walklers coming from Dennis Knoll, the 2nd and 3rd show the gathering at the Pole.