Time for glen to be reopened

I note the recent article in the Observer about the new Tourist Information Centre.

It is good to see that 45k was available for tourism.

It is a pity that a small fraction of this can’t be spent on providing proper maps, signage and information to visitors about Ecclesbourne Glen closures.

Ecclesbourne Glen was voted one of the seven natural wonders of the South East in a BBC poll and was a great tourist attraction.

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A devastating landslip caused by unauthorised development works in Rocklands caravan park has closed the glen.

The glen lies in ruins, scarred by the landslip and wide scale removal of tree.

These trees were felled by the owners to make room for more unauthorised caravans.

After three years Ecclesbourne Glen remains closed.

Maps supplied at the Tourist Information don’t mention this.

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Signs on the East Hill and Country Park also fail to mention the closures.

Visitors try and go for a walk across the Country Park only to be blocked by the Landslide next to Rocklands.

Many then take the risk and walk across the landslide.

It is only a question of time before somebody gets hurt. HBC need to do something – preferably sort out the landslide or at least inform visitors of its existence and provide clear signs for alternative routes.

The following needs to be done as a minimum:

Updating the Country Park Brochure;

Updating the maps at the entrances to the Country Park;

Providing proper signage warning people of the landslip and advising alternative routes;

Providing an alternative route through the glen.

The Country Park is a great visitor asset.

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HBC have washed their hands of any responsibility and are doing nothing to protect this asset.

Unless HBC take action the glen will be lost for good and the ‘jewel in the crown’ of our tourist offering will be lost.

Several years ago HBC tourism manager Kevin Boorman supported the building of the controversial Rocklands Holiday building on the grounds that it would protect jobs in our tourist industry.

It is time to consider the deleterious effect the desecration of the East Hill and loss of Ecclesbourne Glen are having on tourism.

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It is time that HBC took action to carry out works to resolve the causes of the landslip and get the glen re-opened.

Chris Hurrell

On behalf of

Save Ecclesbourne Glen

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