DLWTRAIL UPDATE JUNE 2020

The world has changed since our last update. However, with the prospect of a Covid “New Normal”, active travel – particularly walking and cycling – has moved up the agenda. Where does the DLWTRAIL campaign stand now, and what might the future hold?

We are challenged in a number of areas, but we continue to liaise with local landowners, Councils, Sustrans and other parties. We never expected this to be easy, and now that HS2 is apparently going ahead, we have another piece of major infrastructure set to slice between our two villages. Financial pressures on both public and private sectors will be immense.

However, we continue to explore options, and we appreciate the enthusiastic support of the Parish Council. We hope to soon have a “preferred solution” clarified. Then we can get on with a feasibility study of our preferred option. A positive attitude will be required!

This will be a long haul, so in the meantime we’re going for a “QUICK WIN” …

A QUICK WIN? Immediately after lockdown, The Green “danger road” between Long Whatton & Diseworth became transformed. The motor vehicles disappeared, and the road was once again considered ‘safe’ by pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. Many people, including families on bikes, took advantage of this “new normal” However, the vehicles are returning, many of them travelling at hazardous speeds. The “old normal” has returned. What’s our “Quick Win” proposal? We would love to get the speed limit along The Green reduced to a maximum of 40mph. But, for various reasons, this is something which LCC Highway is reluctant to agree to progress and, anyway, would not be a “Quick Win” Here’s our alternative: The Parish Council has agreed to approach LCC Highways to augment the existing signage on The Green by siting “Caution – Pedestrians / Cyclists / Horses” signs when leaving both Long Whatton & Diseworth. This is not a solution, but we want to get something tangible achieved – no matter how small. Thanks for your continued support, and stay tuned to our blog and facebook group for further updates. - The DLWTRAIL Committee “Safe, Active Travel between Long Whatton & Diseworth”