'Amazing' win for Trans Pennine Trail

Published by webmaster for Chesterfield Borough Council in Communities

The Trans Pennine Trail (TPT), part of which runs through Chesterfield, has won the 'Amazing Space' category of the 2006 National Lottery Awards competition, hosted by Noel Edmonds on national television on Saturday (September 30).

Chesterfield Borough Council member Cllr Terry Gilby, who is vice-chair of the TPT project, was among those who received the prestigious award on behalf of everyone associated with the Trail.

In Chesterfield, the Trail runs from Chesterfield railway station along the towpath of the Chesterfield Canal to the Borough boundary and on to Rother Valley Country Park.

A spur off the main route runs as a bridle path through Tapton Park Golf Course, Brimington Common and West Wood to Staveley, past Pools Brook Country Park, before reaching Rother Valley Country Park.

It goes on to Sheffield and Barnsley and links the west and east coasts of England.
The attached picture, taken at the awards ceremony, shows (left to right) TPT Chair Robin Norbury, former Trans Pennine Trail Officer Pam Ashton, current Trail Officer Les Ford, TV celebrity Linda Barker and Terry Gilby.

Les Ford commented: "It's tremendous to gain national exposure for a recreational resource which was devised, incubated, brought to fruition and now operated through the efforts of a unique partnership of 26 local authorities, United Utilities, and the wonderful support we receive from a great many unsung heroes in our Friends group and Volunteer Rangers.

"It is a fantastic result for outdoor enthusiasts including walkers, cyclists and horse riders across the country.
Robin Norbury added: "The TPT is a complex blend of pathways, tracks and generally off-road routes designed to permit users to pass through areas of great natural beauty, sometimes in very close proximity to areas of industry and urban sprawl. It is a great credit to the innovation and imagination of the originators of the route that beautiful, wild places can be enjoyed in one of the UK's most densely populated corridors. It truly is an amazing space and a worthy winner of the accolade."

ENDS

Press release issued: October 3, 2006