Ken Munns, left, Betty Nesbitt and Wilfred Oven officially open the tunnels on the Monsal Trail. All three last saw the tunnels when they were railway employees working at stations along the former Midland Railway line
A walking and cycling trail through disused railway tunnels was officially opened by retired workers who last used them when they were employed by the Midland Railway.
The Monsal Trail through the Peak District national park runs through four railway tunnels which have been repaired, resurfaced and lit to enable their use by walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
The trio of retired railway workers, Betty Nesbitt, Wilfred Oven and Ken Munns, cut a ribbon at the opening ceremony at Headstone Tunnel. The event was also attended by the Duke of Devonshire, schoolchildren, councillors, local residents, as well as cyclists, walkers and horse riders.
The tunnels were reopened as part of the £2.25m Pedal Peak District Project. The trail runs from Blackwell Mill near Buxton to Coombs Road near Bakewell, for a distance of 14km (8½ miles).
The Duke of Devonshire said: “The Monsal Trail is now one of the most extraordinary routes in the Peak District. The great Victorian engineers did our generation a huge favour which will have profound effects on how people experience this part of the national park in future. It is fantastic for Peak District tourism putting it at the forefront of English destinations.”
Councillor Tony Favell, chair of the Peak District National Park Authority, said: “Re-opening the tunnels to create a traffic-free cycling route through some of England’s most spectacular countryside has created a ‘wow factor’ experience.
“Everyone who has been through the tunnels has loved it and we expect the new route to attract a lot of interest in the coming months and years, with all the benefits that will bring to the local economy.
“The route not only helps tackle congestion on the roads and promotes sustainable transport but it will also help protect the environment and encourage users to lead healthier lifestyles.”
Transport minister Norman Baker had been due to open the route officially but had to pull out to deal with Parliamentary business.
Derbyshire County Council has made a £4.8m bid to the Department for Transport’s Sustainable Local Transport Fund to extend the route, creating a circular route linking Matlock, Bakewell and Buxton, with another section connecting to the World Heritage Site at Cromford.
A decision on the bid is expected by the summer. Planning permission would also be needed before any new sections of the route could be built.
The Peak District National Park Authority, which owns and manages the Monsal Trail, is asking everyone to respect other users of the new routes by following a basic code of conduct.
Users are being asked to:
- Keep to the left and pass in single file
- Use a bell or call out ‘bike’ when approaching others from behind on a bicycle
- Keep dogs on leads and under control. Clear up any dog mess they leave.
- Take all rubbish home with them
Derbyshire Police teams will be patrolling the trail to take action against anyone breaking the law by using motor vehicles and motorbikes on the route.
More details on the trail can be found on the Peak District national park website.
Simon
27 May 2011I remember walking this in 1972 before they bricked the tunnels up. A little spooky I thought.I've done the route several times since, going over the top, which gives better views. When the weather permits. And is rather stiffer going. Still, on bad weather days the tunnels should be a nice option.
Ron Perry
11 June 2011To quote your article ... "A walking and cycling trail through disused railway tunnels was officially opened by retired workers who last used them when they were employed by the Midland Railway."
Hmm - that must make the three of them at least 110 years old! The Midland Railway was absorbed into the London Midland and Scottish Railway in 1924 which itself was nationalised in the late 1940s therefore I think you mean they worked for British Railways (as it was at the time of the line's closure).
Stephen Clark
16 August 2011I walked part of the route yesterday with my nephew from Hassop Station to Monsal Head.
Having previously had to divert to the footpath through Great Longstone, I think that it is brilliant being able to walk through the tunnels and this makes the trail much more user friendly.
Only blemish was that we saw a nasty accident where a little dog suddenly ran into the path of a cyclist causing her to brake sharply, fall off and badly graze her knee. Perhaps the directives for dogs to be kept under proper control needs to be more clearly signposted.
fitter 460
19 January 2012First walk on the trail from bakewell to the Headstone Tunnel,walking back to bakewell a stupid moron on a bike travelling at high speed almost hit us,he didnt give any regard for other users of the trail,selfish swine.As for dog owners they should keep their dogs on a lead and clean up the mess.other than this a most enjoyable walk.