I recently came across some letters and files about the path through beautiful Beeley Woods in the north of Sheffield, and thought you might like to see them.
Around about the turn of the millennium I prepared an outline proposal suggesting a proper multi-user path through Beeley Woods that could be used by cyclists (and equestrians) as well as pedestrians. Part of this involved a photo-reconnaissance of the existing route, and so I've put these against some pictures taken last week to show just how things have changed. I'll try and take some winter pictures for a better comparison at the end of the year.
The old path was uneven and terribly muddy; the new path is almost unrecognisable. Before, you were lucky if you saw anyone else in the woods; nowadays the woods are always busy with walkers, joggers, cyclists, babies in pushchairs, dog walkers, people in wheelchairs and mobility scooters - the list goes on and on. The other thing apparent from these photos is that whilst there are far more people using the woods, they are channeled into a far narrower area, and there's now far less damage to the surrounding areas - these have all completely regenerated. My only regret is that the accompanying equestrian track next to the cycle path was never fully implemented.
In short it's a great resource and I think it's the nicest stretch of cycle route in the Sheffield area.
I noticed that a counter had also just been installed by the cricket pitch at the Oughtibridge end. Please make sure if you're up that way that you add to the numbers!
Oh - and just to acknowledge that although I might have played some small part, in planting the seed of an idea, I was lucky that the idea was taken forward by Sheffield City Council and particularly Sustrans. There's a letter from John Grimshaw expressing his interest, and if it wasn't for the massive effort of Sustrans and their summer work camps and local Rangers, this cycle route would never have come to fruition. It is literally the result of the work by hundreds of people. The area also benefitted from some rebuilding work after the 2007 floods destroyed much of the path at the Oughtibridge end.
