TV naturalist Chris Packham denounces Derby cycle track plans as a "wanton act of vandalism"

Packham uses his position within the BBC to promote his bizarre ideas.

This is the man who believes no urban fox has ever attacked a human and people should be taxed for having children.

Eastway was an example of a cycle circuit in the middle of a nature reserve. All worked fine, in fact the River Lea that ran through it had an amazing variety of bird life. Thing is that most of the time, the circuit is not being used so it's quiet.

Obviously Eastway no longer exists, it's got an Olympic Park built on top of it...

What they're proposing at Derby is a tarmac cycle racing circuit round the outside edge of the reserve along with various bits of maintenance work like removing Japanese Knotweed. Realistically, once it's done I'd imagine it'll have zero effect on the reserve itself (beyond the necessary short term disruption while they build it). It just depends of course on how the circuit is routed through/around the area.

There's some confusion here, because there is a local cycle track that runs along the river - right past the land where this this new development is planned. My understanding is this development is for a kind of dirt racing track suitable for cyclocross or mountain biking - to compliment the velodrome. We already have a BMX track a bit further down the river. I use the cycle track to get to my office and as I sit here at my desk I can watch the velodrome being constructed. Personally, I'd rather they didn't destroy the nature reserve - there seems to be a lot of land on the other side of the river that's isn't being used except for the folks who sneak on there with their dirt-bikes.

Seems perfectly possible that its a bad idea. I don't see any reason to automatically support the cycle track proposal. If its not taking space from motorists there's probably something wrong with it!

Unfortunately this article is very unclear on the purpose of the track, but the facebook photo linked in the text seems to shed a little light on the purpose and how it takes up so much of the reserve.

This seems to be a race course. Slopes are marked, and it follows a tight loop. I don't see how it can be of any use to get from a to b or even to enjoy a leisure ride around the reserve (which appears to surround a "toxic waste facility" anyway, lovely).

As such it seems to me completely unreasonable for the council to move the goal posts for a sports facility wich will only benefit the few.

I frequently ride through the site of the RSPB's HQ in Sandy in Bedfordshire (on the designated path) with no issues.

I believe they know a thing or two about conservation.

Is this proposed cycleway in Derby supposed to be just a waymarked trail or a kiddie and wheelchair friendly 'greenway' style constructed path?

Those that are familiar with the area know that this ‘sanctuary’ is used as a toxic waste dump, an area that is waste land, not managed or maintained in any way and so used for the disposal of rubbish and a resting place for vagrants.

The protest has been lead by a faceless identity on twitter and facebook, someone that clearly has nothing other to do with their time tweeted literally hundreds of times in matter of days inciting panic amongst anyone with a passing interest in nature. If the cycle track is not permitted I hope the twitchers keep this piece of land in a better manner.

I agree with him based on this piece.

There is plenty of urban land that can be regenerated into sporting venues without taking a nature reserve.

I would tend to agree with him. His stance is not 'anti-cyclist' but 'anti-poorly-thought-out-council-planning', which is no bad thing.
Just because something is cycling related doesn't necessarily make it a good idea, look at that shambles in Weston-super-Mare that was in the news recently.

If Packham is against it, it is probably the right thing to do.

Packham is getting a bit Oddie in his old age, or even worst, Bellamy.

The television personality said that losing or destroying the wildlife reserve “would maWk a vile act of wanton vandalism” dubbing the reserve a “tWeasure”...

"A wanton act of vandalism"

Has he seen the HS2 plans?

Plans

https://eplanning.derby.gov.uk/acolnet/DocumentsOnline/documents/73632_2...

The track was re-designed from the original design as a compromise to the nature reserve.

There has been lots of nonsense reported by the "twitchers" such as that there was no need for a circuit due to the recent cyclo-cross event confirming that we already had a circuit in the city.

This wildlife sanctuary was a former waste site it is not the only place in the city for wildlife. We seem to be being seen as bird killing dictators, rather than a group of people trying to ensure that the velodrome gets used by people from Derby for many years to come.

A real "wanton act of vandalism" is motorways etc which have probably been built through nature areas - surely he would oppose these since they cause far more harm than a cycle track...

I think he's got a point - if this is protected land, why is the council seeking to remove that protection? I've had a look at the site, and there is a large amount of what looks like brownfield space, ready for re-use - why not use that rather than impinging on the LNR?

Bit puzzled how a cycle track can destroy 20% of 4.5 hectares, but that may be beside the point.
Cycling and conservation ought to be allies not opponents.

If it's a wildlife sanctuary, it's a wildlife sanctuary. Kinda agree that it's purpose and usage shouldn't be altered arbitrarily.

All cyclists who agree should mount an immediate protest ride ...

Fair enough. Cycle path doesn't have to trump all other considerations unless it was to avoid some sort of road of hell. Even then use this as a reason to put in infrastructure there.

NB: I've not seen the plans.

I was expecting to read... "i'm not anti cycling, I knew a cyclist once"