Trail will close to ease show congestion

The closure will affect a one-mile long section of the trail, between Hassop Station and Bakewell Station, on Wednesday, August 3 and Thursday, August 4.

On both days that section of the trail will form part of a temporary park and ride scheme with buses taking visitors between the two car parks.

The Peak District National Park Authority, which owns and manages the Monsal Trail, says it supports the park and ride scheme as it helps reduce traffic queues and pollution levels on routes into Bakewell during the annual two-day show.

Tim Nicholson, the authority’s transport policy officer, said: “Bakewell Show is one of the biggest and most popular events to take place in the national park each year.

“It attracts thousands of visitors who help to boost the local economy.

“Every year a park and ride scheme is set up to reduce the impact of all these extra people using local roads.

“To make this work, buses need to run along the trail all day, ferrying people between the car parks at Hassop Station and Bakewell town centre.

“This means we need to close that section of the trail to walkers, cyclists and horse riders for safety reasons.”

The Hassop Station to Bakewell Station section of the Monsal Trail will close from 8am to 7pm on both days of the Bakewell Show.

The rest of the Monsal Trail, beyond Hassop Station through the tunnels to Millers Dale and Blackwell Mill, will remain open as usual.

Meanwhile, this year’s Bakewell Show will include all the usual attractions, such as a host of agricultural classes, numerous stalls, a horticulture tent, classic cars and local produce.