Best practice for rail trails is to close them to motorised traffic – they’re designed for walkers and runners, cyclists and horse riders. But a recent 135-signature petition called for the council to keep the trail through the One Eye Forest open to cars and towed equipment. The move threatened the development of the trail as a safe, traffic-free facility – and possibly its popularity in the future.

In response, the Friends have collected 740 signatures from people who want to see it developed as a traffic-free trail. The petition was tabled at the council’s 2 October meeting. Thanks for all those who didn’t take it for granted that the trail will be designed and built according to current best practice. Now we await the outcome.