The Watchtree Nature Reserve (near Carlisle) shows what could have been possible in Derby if not for the actions of the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust earlier in the year to scupper the chances of a closed road circuit.
The Watchtree reserve actively promotes the use of cycles on their reserve with a cycle hire centre and a number of adapted cycles for people with disabilities. They have a cycle circuit throughout the reserve with access to a number of bird hides and actively encourage groups to experience the joint delights of cycling and nature watching.
Their website says “Watchtree Nature Reserve is open 7 days a week for visitors looking to walk, bird watch or bringing their own bikes.”
Wildlife seen at the reserve includes 60 species of birds including skylarks (which the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust insist require the total exclusion of the public – except for a privileged few – to allow for successful sightings).
If only the wildlife “champions” in Derby could have had the vision to match their colleagues in the North West. Perhaps they could learn from successfully involving all parts of the local community in the Watchtree reserve?
Had the cycle circuit gone ahead in Derby, I for one would have been keen to campaign with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to get the additional land they wanted in lieu of part of the reserve being used for the circuit. I would be keen to see many more nature reserves, I remain a DWT member although not an active one. However, I’ve gone off the idea of giving my time to that. There’s plenty more to do to try to develop cycling as transport in Derby, made harder because the fabulous resource of the closed road circuit will not be available to us. I agree with the article, an opportunity for DWT to do something visionary, to build community bridges and gain even wider support has been lost.
Most interested in reading the article about the Watchtree Nature reserve and the furore regarding our much needed traffic free road cycling training circuit at the Derby MultinSports Arena
It is surely possible to come to a compromise that is aceptable to both the wildlife and cycling organisations and if current cooperation between the Wildlife trust and the Proposed Derwent Valley Heritage off road
Cycling Derby to Matlock route is any indication this is possible
What we need is a hard surface road running around the Exterior of the Sanctury without disturbing the interior,
to a certain extent off road bike handling skills could be achieved on the newly built
Pump track on Osmaston road and with assistance with our friends the Derby BMX
Club
A proper Mountain Bike cross country and downhill centre similar to those in Wales and Scotland could be built in the Terrain situated in the North of our County