Firstly, forget everything you think you know about "Public Consultation" exercises. This is Different. (Yes, with a capital 'D', despite what the spell checker may think.
The Stanage Forum, was created by the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) to involve all users of the North Lees Estate (Stanage Edge area) to draw up a new management plan for this small section of the Peak Park (the current management plan being several years out of date).
Instead of coming up with a plan then asking for public opinion, the PDNPA are asking the public first, before a single word has been written. Yes, really, they are!
Ride to Roam is, as you might expect, interested in getting more cycle routes permitted over the estate, for cyclists to use in the same responsible manner as we would use any existing track. We're not wanting the creation of more pathways, given the environmental impact that this activity would have in such a sensitive area; however, in line with our general belief we are suggesting the conversion of some existing paths from "bicycles banned" to "bicycles permitted" status.
To aid this, I (Antony Hawkins) have been involved from the start, attending forum meetings and being a cyclists representative on the forum's steering group. It's a small amount of work to put in for the potential gains for all cyclists.
Please take a look at the latest press release; this is a 9kB Adobe Acrobat file. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, it can be downloaded from Adobe at http://www.adobe.com
If you can attend, please do!