Save Danny Hart’s Descend Bike Park at Hamsterley Forest

We are calling on Forestry England, Durham County Council and relevant government representatives to work with Danny Hart and the Descend team to secure the long-term future of downhill mountain biking at Hamsterley Forest beyond 2028.

Danny Hart’s Descend Bike Park is much more than a collection of trails. It is a long-established part of Hamsterley Forest and a valued hub for the mountain-biking community across the North East and beyond.

For years, the park has provided dedicated downhill trails where young riders, recreational mountain bikers and competitive racers can develop their skills in an established and managed environment. It hosts events, brings riders together and attracts visitors to County Durham, supporting the wider visitor economy and local businesses.

It is also closely associated with one of the North East’s greatest sporting success stories: two-time downhill mountain bike World Champion Danny Hart.

Why is the park under threat?

Major tree felling is planned in the area occupied by Descend from 2028, which means the bike park is expected to close while forestry operations take place.

We recognise that Hamsterley is a working forest and that Forestry England has a responsibility to sustainably manage, harvest and replant its trees.

We are not asking for necessary forestry work to be stopped.

Our concern is that Forestry England reportedly does not intend to renew Descend’s agreement afterwards, potentially turning a necessary temporary closure into the permanent loss of the bike park.

We believe there is a better solution.

Felling the trees should not have to mean losing the trails forever.

There is still time before 2028 for Forestry England, Descend, local authorities and the mountain-biking community to work together on a sustainable plan for the future.

That could mean rebuilding or redesigning the trails following harvesting, incorporating trail corridors into the replanting strategy, relocating parts of the park within Hamsterley, phasing forestry operations where practical, or finding another solution that allows responsible forest management and downhill mountain biking to coexist.

Read more here: https://bbc.in/45vT0lF

Why Descend is worth protecting?

The loss of Descend would affect far more than experienced downhill riders.

It would affect young people learning the sport, families, grassroots racers, cycling clubs, event organisers and the businesses that benefit from people travelling to Hamsterley and the surrounding area.

Mountain biking encourages physical activity, confidence, resilience and time outdoors. Dedicated facilities such as Descend also give riders an appropriate environment in which to progress their skills.

For young riders in particular, having somewhere to develop is important.

Danny Hart progressed from riding in the North East to becoming a multiple World Champion. Protecting facilities such as Descend gives the next generation somewhere to develop their own ambitions — whether that means competing at the highest level or simply discovering a lifelong love of cycling.

Hamsterley is already recognised as an important destination for outdoor recreation and mountain biking. At a time when investment in outdoor activity, tourism and healthy lifestyles should be encouraged, permanently losing an established specialist cycling facility would be a significant step backwards.

What we are asking for?

We are asking Forestry England and relevant public bodies to:

• Commit to meaningful discussions with Danny Hart and Descend Bike Park about its future beyond 2028.
• Reconsider any decision not to offer a new lease, licence or other suitable long-term agreement following forestry operations.
• Include the future of the downhill bike park in plans for harvesting, restocking and redevelopment of this part of Hamsterley Forest.
• Explore all reasonable options for retaining downhill mountain biking at Hamsterley, including rebuilding, redesigning or relocating trails where necessary.
• Consult with riders, local communities, cycling organisations, local businesses and other stakeholders before any irreversible decision about the park’s future is made.
• Develop a long-term solution that demonstrates how sustainable forestry, recreation, tourism and elite sporting development can successfully coexist on the Public Forest Estate.

 

We have an opportunity to find a solution

This campaign does not need to become a battle between forestry and mountain biking.

Both matter.

We support responsible management of Hamsterley Forest. We also believe that a successful, long-established sporting facility should not disappear permanently simply because the trees around it need to be harvested.

With felling not expected to begin until 2028, there is time to plan rather than simply close.

There is time to bring the right people together.

There is time to design the future forest with recreation in mind.

And there is time to secure a future for Descend.

We therefore ask Forestry England, Durham County Council and government representatives to work constructively with Danny Hart, the Descend team and the mountain-biking community to find a solution.

Fell the trees. Replant the forest. Rebuild the trails. Save Descend.

Please sign and share this petition to show that there is strong public support for keeping downhill mountain biking at Hamsterley Forest for future generations.