Ride Bristol’s take on things
We get asked A LOT about what is going on in Leigh Woods and hear many opinions on what should and could be done in regard to the trails. There are three organisations who hold sway over what happens there:
- The National Trust,
- Forestry England
- Natural England.
Ride Bristol has been talking to the latter two, to try and understand the situation better. This post covers all the big questions based on our conversations with them. We have our opinions as I’m sure you do, but here we will stick to the facts as we understand them.
Who manages Leigh Woods?
Part of Leigh Woods is managed by Forestry England, and part is managed by The National Trust. Natural England is a non-departmental public body that has influence over the management of Leigh Woods, particularly the area classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
What areas of Leigh Woods can walkers and riders access?
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW Act) normally gives a public right of access to land mapped as ‘open country’ (mountain, moor, heath and down) or registered common land. Access to Leigh Woods is covered by this legislation. Unfortunately for riders the right to roam freely under the CROW Act only applies to those on foot.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/open-access-land-management-rights-and-responsibilities
The only officially sanctioned off-road cycling trail in Leigh Woods is “Yer Tiz”, along with its short sections of ‘skill’ trails.
Forestry England allows cycling on most hard surfaced tracks at Leigh Woods including the waymarked trails which are for shared use.
What about the unofficial/natural/off-piste trails?
This is a collection of unsurfaced trails that has grown organically over time and been enjoyed by many riders. (Some quote around 20 years, but we expect it goes back a fair bit further than this!)
The network is vast and includes flatter sections towards the top and steeper trails down into the gorge. Walkers and riders use some, others are only used by mountain bikers. Trails can be found in the areas managed by both Forestry England (FE) and The National Trust, often cutting across the two.
It’s important to understand that although these trails have existed under the radar for many years, none have ever been officially sanctioned. Those who have ridden in Leigh Woods for a while will know that occasionally trails are blocked, trail features dug out and sometimes major forest operations take out large sections, as happened recently at Picnic Bench.
OK, they are unofficial, but why is that an issue for the landowners and Natural England?
The the two main issues are habitat damage and accident liability. Most of Leigh Woods is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It’s a specific categorisation of an area that has protected species or habitats. The wild trails are woven through the SSSI in a way that makes determining which sections are in and which are out, almost impossible.
The area covered by the SSSI is shown here: https://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=nnrIndex&query=Ref_CODE%3D%271006008%27
The reasons it has been specified as an SSSI are covered here:
https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/PDFsForWeb/Citation/1003073.pdf
Put simply, it’s the responsibility of The National Trust, Forestry England and Natural England to protect these areas. All three organisations view the creation of wild trails as a threat to this.
On top of that, as landowners, Forestry England and The National Trust can be held liable for any accidents that take place on their land and have a duty of care to keep everybody as safe as they can within the woodland. Fast moving riders descending trails that cross walking paths, large drops, timberwork and gap jumps are all a potential source of significant injury to both riders and walkers and consequently a concern. Elsewhere in the South West nasty collisions have resulted in injury and subsequent litigation.
Picnic Bench is such a wasteland now, how can it be considered to be a SSSI?
The Avon Gorge is a rare and special habitat that sustains plants that grow nowhere else. The Picnic Bench area is a SSSI and has the capacity to support this flora. Despite being planted with non-native conifers in the past, it’s likely that the soil contains many dormant seeds of native woodland species. In order to restore the site, it was necessary to remove the non-native conifer trees. Accessing and removing this timber required closure of the railway line. In order to remove the trees safely it was necessary to use heavy machinery, hence the reason Picnic Bench looks as it does.
The clear felling of the Picnic Bench area was just the first stage in what is a long term SSSI restoration plan. Forestry England will now need to further clear the ground in order to prepare it for future planting (update, this is what is taking place now January 2022). In time we will start to see the natural regeneration and planting of native species.
What is the wider story in Leigh Woods?
The growth in cycling during the pandemic is well documented. With travel options limited, Bristol riders have turned to their local trails. Social media and trail finder apps have added traffic to wild trails previously unknown to many. With more people focusing on Leigh Woods and the initial loss of the Picnic Bench trails, many new lines were built. For Forestry England, this brings very real concerns regarding damage to the SSSI and the risk of rider/walker collisions and conflict.
For Forestry England mapping and risk assessing the wild trail network is an ongoing process; nationally and regionally. This includes Leigh Woods. Broadly speaking the trails will be assessed based on the damage they will cause to the SSSI and risk they pose to the public. Once this is done it is likely that FE will direct resources to the areas and trails that pose the highest risk.
Ride Bristol, what can we do?
Like many riders we were under the impression that not all of Leigh Woods was a SSSI. We explored the option of having sanctioned wild trails in areas outside its boundaries, as a way to offer riding in the less sensitive parts of the woods.
Natural England made it very clear that. although the SSSI area was broken up, adjacent patches inside and outside the boundaries were indistinguishable from each other and of equal ecological value. As such, they’ve said they will not consider sanctioning any trails. At present Natural England seems unwavering in this view.
Ride Bristol recognises that steep, technical, natural trails are a very important component of the local riding scene for many more experienced riders and we are committed to working with landowners and riders to find a sustainable long term solution that offers riders of all levels, a variety of appropriate and challenging trails. We strongly believe that this is an essential part of the trail network that brings huge enjoyment and the accompanying health and well-being benefits to our community.
One of Ride Bristol’s primary objectives is to create a sustainable trail network around Bristol. So we will continue to talk to Forestry England, who we have always found supportive, (even if at present they can’t offer much good news). We believe that if we can find a common voice for the local riding community, it will ultimately be possible to successfully lobby for approved trails on FE land and elsewhere. Who knows even perhaps, in time, in Leigh Woods.
We will listen to the mountain biking community, collating views and common themes around what people think and what people want. We will shortly be releasing a survey to begin this work. We are working on ensuring that mountain bikers’ views and opinions are taken into serious consideration in any future recreation strategy in Leigh Woods.
Natural Trails – what can you do?
If you do decide to ride unauthorised trails we’d suggest thinking about the following:
- Know that designated rights of way are the only places you can legally ride and that you do not have a right to build trails. It may be that you oppose this position, and that’s fine, but as it stands this is the law. There are ongoing national campaigns set up to fight for improved countryside access.
- Avoid building new lines, if you see others doing so, try to educate them so they understand that building new lines can increase conflict and remove any future prospect of sanctioned trails.
- Avoid promoting unauthorised trails on social media, this brings more traffic, risk and damage, drawing further attention to the trail.
- Don’t log unauthorised trails on Strava, trail forks or similar. This also brings more traffic, risk and damage, drawing further attention to the trail.
- Take note of the trails you ride and consider how they might be viewed by the landowner. The more dangerous and damaging the trail is (think big features and high traffic) the more likely it will draw attention and be shut down.
- Ride respectfully of other forest users, high speed close passes, are intimidating. As they say at Ride Sheffield “be nice, say hi”.
- If someone is angry or upset by your riding, try to stop, be thoughtful and listen, you might be in the right, you might be in the wrong, they might be rude or unreasonable. However, taking the heat out of the situation, reduces the likelihood of complaints to the landowner reducing the pressure on them to close down wild trails.
And finally
For twenty years or more the unsanctioned trails in Leigh Woods have been a source of friction between riders, walkers and the landowners. Given all the factors noted in this document, it won’t be quick or easy, but with the support of the MTB community Ride Bristol can work to find a resolution. We will continue to talk to Forestry England. In part with a view to upgrading the ‘Yer Tiz’ trail and in pursuit of our broader objective to develop a sustainable network of challenging and varied trails around the city.
Perhaps you see things we don’t? If you can make a positive contribution to either this or our broader aspiration of building a sustainable trail network around our city, please get in touch.
This is a fair, but seems biased against mountain biking in Leigh woods. I do feel strongly that the fact is that we are poor relations in the sharing of access in the woods, when will be this activity is good for the Heath and well being of people. I understand there will always people that are not courteous to other woodland users but, on the other hand I’ve witnessed very unpleasant comments from walkers/runners whilst on the designated trails. I don’t know the solution of these problems but transforming the woods back to it’s original state will be pleasant but for what purpose…money making dog walking companies? Please keep me informed of the situation and will always be will to comment…thank you
Thank you for taking this on. Your all legends.
Have a nice evening xx
I started playing in Leigh Woods in the very early 60s and I have seen it change beyond all recognition in my lifetime. The huge increase in population and outdoor pursuits is what has driven this. That is simply a fact of life. Official and unofficial paths in LW are now often wide quagmires in the winter a result of these huge numbers of walkers. However, the argument that nothing can be done to limit the damage from walkers, because it is CRoW open access land, and therefore MTB access (which has a much lower impact) is the one being addressed, doesn’t hold water. Sections 23, 24, 25 and especially 26 of the CRoW Act allow land owners to ban access for dog walking. Doing so in Leigh Woods would without any doubt, have a much more significant impact on reducing the negative impact on wildlife, both in footfall and the impact that dogs have on wildlife (NE state dogs have a greater impact than walkers). However, I seriously doubt that NT, FE and NE would ever follow that line. But to quote Natural England’s own report into the effects of dogs on wildlife.
“ Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW): CRoW introduced a right of access on foot, for open-air recreation, to land mapped as ‘CRoW access land’. Anyone exercising their rights can be accompanied by a dog (but not any other pet) but subject to the requirement that dogs must be kept on a short lead (of 2m or less) between 1 March and 31 July and when in the vicinity of livestock. In addition, under Section 23, a land manager can impose a ban on dogs:
• for a single period of up to six weeks in any calendar year over enclosures (of no more than 15ha) that are used for lambing (power available to owner-occupier or tenant);
• for a period of five years over land used for the breeding and rearing of grouse (power available to landowner only).
The Section 23 restrictions do not apply to trained guide dogs being used by a blind person, or a trained hearing dog with a deaf person.
Land managers can also apply for a direction to impose restrictions on access land for reasons of land management (Section 24), health and safety and fire risk reduction (Section 25). Restrictions could include banning of dogs or a requirement that dogs be kept on a lead.
Section 26 allows restrictions to be directed by the relevant authority where they believe they are necessary for nature conservation or heritage preservation. In the case of the former, the direction can be made where necessary for ‘the purpose of conserving flora, fauna or geological or physiographical features of the land in question’. In deciding whether a restriction is needed for nature conservation reasons, the relevant authority shall have regard to advice from the relevant advisory body (ie English Nature). Restrictions could be introduced that affect dogs.”
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/file/70026
I’ve been a regular user of all of the bike trails in Leigh Woods for the last 15 years and have seen very little to no conflict between the different forest users, noted this does rely on common courtesy . I hope the FC and the other organisations can begin to understand the value in these trails and support trails that work in harmony with the SSSI. Without and agreement there is an inevitable chance that wild trails may reappear so lets work out the best way to do it together taking consideration for the environment! Roll on the next chapter of Leigh Woods!
Wow, such a complex topic and one that stretches well beyond Bristol. Thanks so much for getting stuck in and having these conversations on behalf of local riders. I hope there is a resolve to be found and that we’ll be able to ride off-piste in Leigh Woods at some point in the future. As the mountain biking community, we need to wake up and see the gravity of this situation and what it could mean for our sport in the long term. There will be a Tipping Point sometime (probably sooner than we think) unless we listen to, and start respecting and working with landowners. Thanks Ride Bristol, for what you are starting.
Thanks for writing such a well-thought out and in-depth article!
And also thanks for taking the time to talk to the land owners & authorities to make sure there’s someone putting our case across in a well thought out and reasonable manner 🙂
I’ve been riding the trails in Leigh Woods since I came to Bristol as a student in 1994 and have witnessed the changes in use from the initial 90’s MTB boom to the most recent lock-down driven surge in riders.
I’m glad to hear that someone is putting the case for organic, unpaved trails! I was personally disappointed when the long-standing trails in Ashton Court & Leigh Woods were transformed from the muddy lines of the 90s into the hard-surfaced trails of today. I’d never advocate going back – as the original trails would never support the numbers that hit them today & the sport has moved on with less cyclo-cross style mud plugging & more smooth bike park style flow trails in the mix.
My worry is always that the Forestry Commission / Natural England will see Yer Tiz and think that’s “job done” MTB use is covered and nothing more is needed!
Ideally we’ll have a wide range of trails covering not just a wide range of skill levels, but also a wide range of riding types. E.g. not just flow trails or dirt jumps but techy rock gardens (like the original Super Nova), steep rooty descents, and even muddy singletrack 🙂
Here’s hoping for some positive outcomes so we can keep good challenging local riding and not have to drive to the Mendips or the Forest of Dean or beyond every ride!
I’m from BC originally but have been living in Bristol for 20+ years. In BC a lot of the north shore style of trail building was put in place to not only to create challenging stunts but also re-route trails and limit environmental impact and erosion of temperate and ancient woodland. Properly built and maintained trails can work especially when designed to tackle drainage etc. and now the north shore gets huge volumes of traffic. It would be great to have some more challenging trails and I know I’d happily pitch in with the building. Perhaps features at the trail head with a qualifier is the answer. Bristol has a great riding scene and we’re very lucky to have Leigh Woods on our doorstep but more advanced trails would be a welcome addition. There is certainly the terrain and since Still Woods is no longer we could really do with some flow.