Peak Area access volunteers met with Nick Clegg last week to represent our members' views over the Peak District National Park Authority's Asset Review and its implications for the future management of iconic sites including Stanage and the Roaches.

BMC volunteer Adam Long arranged to meet with his constituency MP, the Deputy Prime Minister, whose constituency Sheffield Hallam contains Hathersage, Burbage and the back of Stanage.  Along with Henry Folkard (BMC Peak Access Co-ordinator), they met with Mr Clegg for an interesting discussion stressing the importance of the future management of the Estates which are due to be sold or leased.  Both Estates are currently in public ownership under the auspices of the National Park Authority and the BMC believes it essential that future arrangements remain within the public purview.  They also raised issues regarding coastal access, CROW and the Red Tape Challenge.

Mr Clegg was given a copy of the BMC Access Charter which contains a picture of Stanage for him to take back to London and pin up on his office wall.  Our volunteers were also able to update Mr Clegg with positive news about the Ring Ouzels at Stanage.

Henry Folkard has also met recently with his constituency MP, Patrick McLoughlin, whose constituency Derbyshire Dales contains most of Stanage, to raise similar issues.

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