It was a delight and a surprise to read in the Buxton Advertiser that Chapel Parish Council's work is being used as the basis for Walking and Cycling aspirations.

However, many of the routes mentioned around Chapel-en-le-Frith are using outdated parish plans which have since been changed and improved. An overview is shown in the attached plan and there are more detailed plans available for each section.

Much has already been already achieved. New signage has recently been installed and yet more is waiting for county council approvals. Improvement work on the Tramway Trail has been delayed because of the pandemic, but it is ready to begin as soon as the regulations will allow it. A replacement for an Information Board at Whitehough that was destroyed by a falling tree should very soon be installed.

A footpath spur allowing traffic-free access from the Tramway to Chinley School and beyond is currently being negotiated and those talks are making good progress.

Problems with Tramway flooding are a huge issue and are holding back much improvement work. Therefore, a report has been produced bringing together the best solutions to the flooding and those ideas are now the basis of a multi-agency approach.

Whilst substantial sums of money would be very pleasant, the detailed plans that the council has produced are generally shovel-ready and at very modest cost. Much of the cash that is needed can be sourced from existing minor grants. Landowner approvals are being sought to open up new sections.

Although the Chapel area has been the primary focus, the Parish Footpaths Group is actively working with neighbouring areas; for example, with Councillor Roberts of HPBC to enable an extension as far as the start of the Monsal Trail at Blackwell Mill. This would need improvements to Wormhill Bridleway 6 to make it more cycle friendly and accessible. It should require no new permissions as bridleways can also be used for cycling. This would allow easy access to the start of the Monsal Trail from both Chapel and Buxton using tracks and quiet minor roads. From there you can get to Bakewell and beyond.

Of course, new routes require the help and understanding of land-owners. Please engage with the Parish Footpath Working Group so that the fantastic progress that has already been made is not adversely affected. The chairman of the working group, Councillor Chris Sizeland, can be contacted on 01298 815335 or parish@sizeland.net