Stangage Edge's summit marks the boundary of the ancient kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria. Photo: Darren Copley ![[CC-2.0]](/lib/img/layout/cc-attr.gif)
Walkers and climbers have the chance to have their say on which Peak District project will get a £5,000 boost.
Among the schemes under consideration for the legacy, to mark the 60th anniversary of Britain’s national parks, are a Pennine Way shelter, summit markers on one of the area’s most popular climbing crags and a makeover for a beauty spot viewpoint. Residents and visitors in the national park are being urged to vote for their favoured choice.
A spokesperson for the national park authority said: “On 16 December it will be exactly 60 years since the post-war Government voted to protect the country’s most precious landscapes with the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.
“The Peak District National Park Authority is asking people to help choose a £5,000 legacy to mark the 60th anniversary of UK national parks legislation.”
There are six potential beneficiaries of the cash. One is the project to a improve walkers’ shelter and information point at Grindsbrook, one of the first points of interest on the Pennine Way, a short distance from Edale. This project would add a window and door to the existing shelter – to stop sheep getting in – and benches outside, plus information about the landscape, heritage and wildlife.
Another candidate is the Stanage summit markers. The summit marker at Stanedge Pole is a cultural heritage feature marking the boundary between Derbyshire and Yorkshire and formerly marked the boundary between Mercia and Northumbria. The project would repair and restore the historic summit markers of Stanedge Pole and the trig points on Stanage Edge.
A third project in the running for the money is the improvement of the Monsal Head viewpoint, one of the most visited in the national park. Its seating is old and shabby, and the main information panel is scratched. This scheme would restore and replace the benches and plaque.
Other projects for consideration are the planting of 500 trees throughout the district; the replacement of wooden sculptures at the Tideswell Dale trail; the update of the Collins New Naturalist book to update the Peak District volume, which was published in 1962; and a video to sing the praises of the national park that would be distributed to schools and visitor centres and uploaded to YouTube.
Voting is online and the winner will be announced on the anniversary day, 16 December.
Dave
17 November 2009The Stanage Pole area needs a make over, but it would only be worth it if 4 x 4 and motor bikes were prevented from using the causeway. I no longer go near it due to the hassle and noise of overgrown children playing in the mud of what used to be a pleasant walk.
The route up from Redmires has been particularly badly affected by 4 x 4. Unfortunatley the Peak Park seem to welcome off roaders ( ? ) with open arms.