Equal Access and Solving a Conflict

One of the biggest challenges within the countryside is managing the resource so that all the different users can enjoy equal access to this precious landscape. Here in Chopwell Wood, there was a problem with mountain bikers. Not because the Mountain bikes themselves were a problem, but because of the lack of provision, they were creating their own routes. This resulted in a conflict between other users of the wood.

The Forestry Commission in their wisdom decided that the best way forward was to create places where mountain bikes could be used safely. This would prevent accidents and rather than developing a culture of stopping people using the woods, it was recognised that by saying this is a route that you can use walkers and horse riders were isolated from that extra traffic.

Further, this has started to have a beneficial effect upon the wildlife, as instead of the bikes traversing ecologically sensitive areas, they now have routes they can use that help protect the woods. Further, because walkers are not allowed down the dedicated bike tracks, a ribbon of undisturbed habitat has been created.

The effect upon Chopwell Wood is a positive one and the quality of the facilities is now being recognised nationally. However, what has been created at Chopwell is just a very small part of the facilities for mountain bikers, as at Hamsterley Forest and Kielder Forest there is more, much more.

It shows that by taking bold and positive measures, something positive can be created that benefits all.