The Peak District warns hikers to heed trail closures for safety during maintenance work
Bakewell: The Peak District National Park Authority is sounding the alarm. They’ve noticed that some hikers are ignoring the closures on a popular trail. This is a big no-no, especially with maintenance work happening.
So, here’s the deal: the Monsal Trail is closed on weekdays throughout January and February. They’re doing some important work to keep the trail safe. But some folks are just walking right past the signs and barriers. Not cool!
This eight-mile trail, which stretches from Bakewell to Blackwell Mill, is off-limits in certain areas. They’re tackling issues like ash dieback, which is a serious problem for the trees. It’s crucial to keep everyone safe while they work.
Good news, though! The trail will be open on weekends and holidays. During the week, some sections might still be accessible, but the full route is closed. They’re hoping to reopen parts of the trail as soon as it’s safe.
Initially, they’ll focus on the section between Bakewell and the Headstone Viaduct. They’ll keep everyone updated on what’s open through their website and social media.
The work is necessary to prevent any accidents from falling trees. Ash dieback is a nasty fungal disease affecting many trees in Europe, and it’s likely to hit the Peak District hard in the coming years.
A spokesperson for the authority mentioned that they know how popular the Monsal Trail is. They’re trying to minimize disruptions by doing this work now, when it’s less busy. Plus, weekends will remain open for everyone to enjoy.
They really can’t stress enough how important it is to follow the signs and stay out of closed areas. Ignoring these warnings could put you and the workers at risk. So, let’s all play it safe and respect the closures!
