TIPPING THE BALANCE FOR SHERWOOD: MP CALLS FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT
18/10/2007
MP for Sherwood and Ramblers Vice President Paddy Tipping has called on the public to show their support for proposed changes to further protect and enhance Sherwood Forest's status as one of Britain's most important environmental attractions.
MP for Sherwood and Ramblers Vice President Paddy Tipping has called on the public to show their support for proposed changes to further protect and enhance Sherwood Forest's status as one of Britain's most important environmental attractions.
"I'm doubly fortunate, as a rambler and as an MP, to have the world's most famous forest on my constituency doorstep," says Paddy. "Already a firm favourite with walkers, Sherwood Forest is not only historically intriguing and ecologically important, it's one of the most beautiful places in Middle England."
Paddy claims the future shape of the forest will depend on the outcome of a "once in a lifetime" public vote by television viewers in December. The competition is to choose one project, of national significance, to receive a grant of £50 million from the Big Lottery Fund. Projects put forward will be featured on an ITV show - a bit like the 'Restoration' programme seen previously.
"A win will see the landscape transformed into a world-class visitor attraction of unprecedented scope and scale, which millions can explore via a groundbreaking 250 lm network of surfaced paths and which can safeguard the future of the forest for another 1,000 years," says Paddy.
But success is not guaranteed. "Sherwood is actually suffering at the hand of its own popularity - with visitors concentrated in its most vulnerable and ecologically important areas," says Paddy. "We have to act if we are to protect its legacy for future generations."
Tipping in encouraging walk readers to make a difference by checking out the vision for Sherwood: The Living Legend at www.robinhood.co.uk, and then vote in December.
At the heart of the scheme will be a futuristic 3,000 sq. m. carbon-neutral visitor centre, with an iconic 100ft 'Tree'. The lifeblood of the plans is a vast hub-and-spoke network of walking, cycling and riding paths - one of the largest in Europe - created with conservation in mind. These will open up access to the area for the estimated 14 million people living within two hours drive of the area - that's almost a quarter of the population of England.
This new network extends to 250 km of surfaced paths including 95 km of new and improved paths knitting into the surrounding countryside access, thanks to the creation of six major road crossings and two river crossings over the Trent. More than 20 railway stations and dozens of bus stops will link to the network, which has been designed to offer maximum accessibility to people with mobility problems.
"Whatever the result of December's vote, change will come for Sherwood," says Paddy. "Because of its unique conservation status, the present outdated facilities must be moved by 2010. You can decide for yourself what form that change will take - register at www.robinhood.co.uk to receive updates and a reminder when its time to vote."