Verderers and cycle group to 'work together' to improve Forest accessibility
THE verderers are set to work with a leading New Forest cycling group to improve the existing cycle network after it was branded “not fit for purpose”.
The announcement came after Richard Taylor, who heads the New Forest Cycle Working Group, said cyclists felt “frustrated” and “demonised” by the debate surrounding their use of the Forest.
At a meeting of the Verderers’ Court, he urged them to join forces to look for solutions.
His appeal came weeks after Official Verderer Lord Manners called for the prosecution of cyclists who flouted local bylaws by “persistently” straying from the waymarked tracks.
The verderers are concerned they are causing erosion and disturbing wildlife and commoners’ livestock.
But this week a spokesperson for the verderers told the A&T: “We have considered Mr Taylor’s presentment and have agreed to enter into discussions with the New Forest Cycle Working Group about improvements and revisions to the current waymarked cycled network.”
In his presentment to the court, Mr Taylor claimed “the voice of the cycling community had not been heard” in recent debates on the issue.
He said: “We would ask the verderers to engage positively with all other stakeholders in the process of improving the off-road network.
“We all need to reduce the highly charged, tabloid nature of the current debate and concentrate on producing solutions that work.”
He said improvements to the connectivity of the off-road gravel cycle network have been promised for many years and were set out in national park authority policy.
But he added: “Progress to achieving this has been non-existent, to the huge frustration of the cycling community, and cyclists continue to be demonised.”
Pledging to suggest improvements to make it easier for cyclists to stay on agreed tracks, Mr Taylor concluded: “The network as it currently exists is not fit for purpose – it is poorly connected, and badly waymarked.”
Stating that the vast majority of cyclists were responsible and respectful of the area, Mr Taylor said that better mapping, both online and in the form of physical maps, would help make it clearer where cyclists were allowed to go.
The New Forest Cycle Working Group seeks to shape local cycling policy and advice on improvements to local cycling infrastructure.
Membership includes local cycle groups, businesses, national organisations, sustainable transport groups, parish, district and county council representatives, Forestry England and the national park authority.
Mr Taylor said: “We aim to encourage responsible cycling in the New Forest to minimise conflict with the special qualities of the national park and other people, and to improve usability and connectivity of the cycle network.”
