New working group to run local mountain bike trails

New working group to run local mountain bike trails

19 June 2019

A NEW working group is to be established to assist with the management of the hugely popular mountain bike trails in Castlewellan Forest Park.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council is keen to meet with those who use the trails and organise local events, alongside representatives from Cycling Ireland, to discuss what have been described as a number of challenges in managing the facility and sister trails in Rostrevor’s Kilbroney Forest Park.

Over £1.6m has been invested in developing trails in both parks and together they attract over one million users each year, with £120,000 invested annually in their management.

The success of both authorised and unauthorised trails within both parks presents challenges for Newry, Mourne and Down Council, members of its Enterprise, Tourism and Regeneration Committee were told on Monday.

The local authority manages the bike trails under licence from the Forest Service and is also responsible for their maintenance.

Politicians were told that in addition to the authorised trail network, an unofficial or ‘natural’ network also exists and has been in place for many years. This network is used by more proficient mountain bikers and for large scale events that attract international visitors.

It was revealed at Monday’s committee meeting that challenges arise when the natural trails are adapted or updated, or new routes are created by user groups without consideration for wider environmental impacts, planning permissions, land owner permission and without adequate health and safety considerations or insurance in place.

As part of the current licence agreement between the local authority and the Forest Service, Newry, Mourne and Down Council has a duty of care to all visitors to the forest parks, with work ongoing to remove unauthorised trails which pose risks to mountain bikers.

Over recent months, council officials have received a number of requests from event organisers for events that will use a combination of authorised trails, forest roads and unauthorised trails.

While organisers are responsible for providing relevant health and safety risk assessments and insurance cover for the use of unauthorised trails, no adequate cover or permissions are in place post event which council officials have warned presents a “considerable risk” to the local authority and those using both natural and unauthorised trails.

Councillors agreed on Monday night to meet with mountain trail bike stakeholders and representatives from Cycling Ireland to consider the various challenges that would enable “the responsible and safe management” and maintenance of part of the natural trail network, with adequate health and safety considerations in place.

It was also agreed at Monday’s meeting to review the trail network at Castlewellan and Kilbroney parks in terms of the local authority’s ongoing management and maintenance and consider future budget and investment requirements.