|
Memorandum submitted by Robert Woodward (TNF 08)
I am a member of the Ramblers Association and act as a liaison officer for the Leicestershire and Rutland Area on the National Forest Access and Recreation Working Group, which meets 2 or 3 times per year.
As a user group the RA provide valuable insight of walkers' experiences, aspirations, practical route design and feedback of site conditions and opportunities for enhancement.
The RA is very active in the drive to encourage more people to take up walking especially as family groups. Already in the Area that I represent, we lead about 1000 walks per year, which are advertised in local press, retail outlets and public places. A lot of the walks are undertaken in the National Forest area. We participate in the annual Forest Summer Walking Festival, creating and leading walks alongside other user groups.
The Forest development has made a big impact in the East of the Forest Area because of the regeneration of the defunct coal mining sites. What was once despoiled land and derelict buildings have been transformed into really beautiful countryside with tree variety, new amenity facilities, recreation areas and wildlife habitat. Close to my area we have the Sence Valley Forest Park, once an opencast coal site, now undulating land with lakes, fishing, scenic views, walks, toilets, venue for Summer events. In similar manner there have been many new and improved areas now benefiting local residents, as well as the occasional visitor, with a more pleasant environment
We look forward to further developments such as the creation of a Long Distance Trail, because the walking community will travel to take up the challenge and in doing so discover other attractions and we will not be slow to publicise it and get more people involved.
More planning and funding is required to establish better public transport links to key points, car parking, signage and publicity.
I hope you find these comments useful in your review.
Robert Woodward
January 2010 |