Over the years I’ve grown to love the deep groughs, squelching black peat and impossible navigation that is Kinder. So it’s a bit of a shock to find out that ecologically Kinder is in an advanced state of decay and in contrast to a healthy moor which absorbs carbon, Kinder is doing the opposite and releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere.
The National Trust are going ahead with their plans to restore the vegetation to Kinder plateau and there’s a consultation starting on 1st December, which will iron out the fine detail. Overall it sounds similar to the work being done on Bleaklow, which seems to be successfully reintroducing a lot of natural vegetation (but I’m not too sure how the Rosebay Willowherb got there!). This is being achieved by reseeding and then fencing, which primarily keeps sheep off, but I’m sure has the effect of deterring a few walkers and runners as well.
The contentious part of the Kinder plan is whether to put a fence across the plateau. The plans are to fence on the northern side from Park Hall moor (not sure where this is), to Fairbrook. Eastern aspect from Fairbrook to Blackden brook and then possibly across the plateau to Grindsbrook. Access remains open and stiles will be put in place, do we have any requests?
I’ll co-ordinate your feedback, which I’ll pass onto the National Trust.
Equally important are your views about what we should do in terms of our club runs and races. At the moment I’d expect us to have our usual 5 or 6 club runs/small races. And then of course its the triple crossing in November.
Any thoughts? Email me via Access/contacts button or speak to me on a Wednesday night.
Bob Berzins
There are answers to some of the questions you might have on the NT site here, which might be useful before you contact Bob with your thoughts.
Also there is a map on the NT site, I have cobbled together an "improved" version with a decent OS map behind the proposed/existing fence/boundary lines below, click on the map for a larger version.
John Dalton