News

New cycle routes for Swinley Forest after damage caused by mountain bikers

By Julie Spencer
November 20, 2012

New formal cycle routes are being built through Swinley Forest to stop mountain bikers riding on unofficial tracks and damaging the protected woodland.

The Crown Estate, which owns the forest, claims unrestricted biking on informal trails is putting the forest and rare breeding birds at risk and must be regulated.

It will start work this month on a 24.2 kilometre cycle network starting at The Look Out Discovery Centre to create ‘a centre of excellence for mountain biking’ for all levels of rider.

The new trails will be ready by March and bikers will be banned from riding in other areas.

The Crown Estate is also ending the permit scheme which allows bikers access to marked trails within the forest which is a Natural England designated Special Protection Area.

John Deakin, chief forester, said: “Swinley Forest has become increasingly popular with mountain bikers and extensive informal routes have been created through the forest.

“With a conservative estimate of more than 170,000 cyclists using the site each year, the sheer volume of unrestricted biking is having a detrimental impact on this protected environment.

“The Crown Estate plans to reduce this impact while creating a centre of excellence for mountain biking.

“We will be introducing green, blue and red cycle routes in line with the International Mountain Bike Association industry standards.”

A mountain biker, who did not wish to be named, said that he did appreciate that damage could be done by off-trail riders.

However, he added formal tracks would change the nature of the sport at Swinley and might send experienced riders to other locations, such as Surrey Hills.

He said: “There are far more trails there than are marked on the map, so if access were limited down to just 24km it would be a sad reduction.”

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Most recent user comments 8 of 8

Its not protected woodland, its a cash crop. That is slowly being harvested. They do not mind when tons of machinery go in and wreck the place.

R Smith
23/11/2012 at 09:36

It's nothing to do with BFC - it's Crown Estate land and they are able to do what they like with it. Luckily, they have consulted with some MTB groups and have decided to continue to allow MTBers use the forest in a sustainable way that won't result in any unpleasant lawsuits for them.

We should really be congratulating the Crown Estate for taking this step, it could have been much worse. It will be easier for people to be positive once they have a better idea of the plans and the motives behind them: something this reporter has utterly failed to find out. Still, the headline is a good audition piece for the Daily Mail.

MSmith
20/11/2012 at 18:41

Following the Olympics Team GB cyclists have put the nation at the forefront of world cycling. As such the popularity of bicycles is at an all time high, and Queen are riding high in the download charts once more.

At some championships or other at the weekend, in Cleethorpes, Sir Chris 'A' Hoy won the 3000m Penny Farthing Sprint to end the event on a high note, and Rebecca Romero, who only changed sports from rowing last year, and from tiddlywinks the year before that, won the 400m Unicycle race in a record time of 3 hours 53 minutes whilst juggling eight coloured balls and a Cocker Spaniel.

Come on BFC - you're showing yourselves to be the chafing lycra cycling shorts to Victoria Pendleton's foxtrot. Or something.

Fat bottomed girls.

Winstanley, Bracknell
20/11/2012 at 16:54

I'm disappointed that this article puts a very negative spin on a positive development for the local community. Crown Estate is investing in the local trail network, which will encourage people to participate in this sociable and healthy activity. The reporter could have obtained a more balanced view by consulting with the local mountain bike groups and clubs, who work closely with the Crown Estate to ensure that mountain biking remains a sustainable sport for the forest.

Dan Hodge
20/11/2012 at 13:28

I believe there are areas that have marked gated No Cycle routes, which cyclists still use despite this. I used to walk my dog here but no longer due to the carelessness of cyclists entering these routes and my dog getting getting in thier way and some think its in their rights to foul mouth me.

GL, Bracknell
20/11/2012 at 11:17

There are no marked trails at the moment, so they can't end access to them!

How do they intend to enforce this? They don't enforce the current permit scheme in any meaningful way, so I suspect these will be "guidelines" at best.

Where is the money going to come from to maintain the trails in the future?

AS commenter below mentions: Do the council give any money from the recently imposed car parking charges as a contribution?

MSmith
20/11/2012 at 09:37

If the permit scheme is removed by Gorrick does this also mean that there will be no reduced parking for riders? Also, how do they plan to pay for the upkeep if the permit is to be removed?

Wow...