The Dirt Jumps at Sherwood Pines have been an important part of the Nottinghamshire Mountain Biking scene for many years, in an area where good trails are very hard to come by. They provide a brilliant source of outdoor activity and entertainment for people of all ages, and will be a sad loss for the local community.

The forestry commission cites the large number of injuries to inexperienced riders and increasing problems with littering as the primary reasons for the demolition of the jump park. While these reasons seem fair at first glance, it is unlikely that demolition of the dirt jumps will lead to a reduction in either of these problems. 

The removal of the official dirt jumps at Sherwood will almost certainly lead to the creation of unofficial/illegal trails in more hidden and inaccessible areas of the forest. Not only are injuries more likely to occur on unsanctioned trails, but the consequences of injuries could prove to be much higher as emergency services may not be able to easily locate the casualty should they be called out.

Whilst littering is clearly a major problem at the dirt jump park, it is by no means confined entirely to this area of the forest. There is no evidence that the amount of littering is not simply proportional to the number of people visiting that area, and if the jumps were removed it is highly likely that we would see the littering spread to other areas of the forest. 

This move by the forestry commission is the latest in a long line of efforts to push mountain bikers away from their sites. It will be hugely detrimental to the overall quality of the trails at Sherwood pines, cause an increase in the construction of "off-piste" trails, and simply move any antisocial behaviour to other areas of the forest.