Trans Pennine Trail Barnsley

Description

 

The Trans Pennine Trail is a national coast-to-coast Trail providing a largely traffic free route for recreation and travel for walking and cycling with many miles available to horse riders. Large stretches of the TPT are accessible for some people with physical disabilities and suitable for families - particularly throughout the Barnsley Borough.

 

Eligibility

 

Available to everyone. The Trans Pennine Trail has many varied uses - nearby residents using it to walk or cycle to school and work, jogging, dog walking, an enjoyable and 'green' way to travel from urban centres to the countryside, walking or cycling the whole of the Trail as a holiday or short sections on day trips. Also within the Barnsley area almost all of the route is available to horse riders.

 

Procedure

 

Nationally, the Trans Pennine Trail runs for 215 miles from Southport on the Irish Sea to Hornsea on the North Sea. In addition there is a north / south route running from Leeds to Chesterfield and a spur up to York, making a total of 350 miles of trail available.

Barnsley is in the centre of the Trail. Eastwards from Penistone leave the railway path at Oxspring and follow the old packhorse way at Willow Lane and the railway path along the Dove Valley. After Worsbrough Country Park head north, into the town centre or continue on the TPT coast-to-coast route to Bolton Upon Dearne, Sprotbrough and beyond.West of Penistone, follow the railway path to Dunford, then over the Pennines to Longdendale  - eventually finishing at Southport on the west coast.

From Stairfoot follow railway paths into town or continue north to follow the scenic Barnsley Canal to Wakefield and Leeds. Going south, follow the Elsecar Greenway, passing through Elsecar Industrial Heritage Centre or take the Timberland Trail to the village of Wortley. There are route options available to journey through Sheffield or Rotherham, finishing at the southern spur of Chesterfield.

 

Helplines

 

Barnsley MBC Countryside Unit  - 01226 772142
Trans Pennine Trail National Office - 01226 772574
Barnsley Tourist Information Centre - 01226 206 757

 

Charges / Fees

 

This is a free facility.

 

Methods of Payments Available

 

Maps of the trail and the Visior & Accommodation guide can be purchased by cash, cheque (payable to 'Barnsley MBC' or valid credit card.

 

Opening Times / Locations

 

The Trans Pennine Trail route is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Barnsley MBC Office and TPT Office open during normal office hours.

 

How the Customer can help

 

Members of the public can assist the Trans Pennine Trail by becoming a Friend or Volunteer Ranger.

Volunteer Rangers act as our eye's and ears when they are out and about on the trail, providing reports on any problems and undertaking simple tasks such as putting up temporary signage, litter pick and trimming vegetation.

The Friends of the Trans Pennine Trail is a voluntary body who want to get the most out of the trail and see it suceed. They assist by lobbying in the trail's interests and helping us to staff stands at various exhibitions and events.

Please contact the Trans Pennine Trail Office for further details.

 

Application form references

 

Not Applicable.

 

Leaflets

 

The following free leaflets are available:

Trans Penine Trail - National leaflet
Trans Pennine Trail  - Barnsley leaflet
Timberland Trail  - leaflet

Additionally the following publications are available for sale:

Trans Pennine Trail Map 1 (West) - Irish Sea to Yorkshire £4.95
Trans Pennine Trail Map 2 (Central) - Yorkshire & Derbyshire £4.95
Trans Pennine Trail Map 3 (East) - Yorkshire to North Sea £4.95
Trans Pennine Trail Accommodation & Visitor Guide (3rd Edition) £5.95

 

Distribution Points

 

All leaflets are available from Barnsley MBC Central Offices, Kendray Street, Barnsley or the Barnsley Tourist Information Centre, in the Central Library, Shambles Street. Maps and Visitor Guides can also be purchased through the Trans Pennine Trail website.

 

Legislation

 

The use of motorised vehicles is illegal on all sections of the Trans Pennine Trail (exceptions - private landowners vehicles). Some sections of route are segregated - be sure to follow signs indication which sections are available to which users.

 

Response Times / Next Steps

 

Requests for information packs via Trans Pennine Trail National Office will normally be issued the next day.

 

Out of Hours Procedure

 

The Trans Pennine Trail National Office has an out of office answer machine. Should you require a free information pack, please leave your name and mailing address on your message.

 

Owner Officer Contact Details

 

Barnsley TPT Contact Officer  - 01226 772142 - responsible for managing the Barnsley Section of the route (signage, maintenance etc).
Trans Pennine Trail National Office  - 01226 772574 - responsible for co-ordinating the partnership of the Trail and marketing.

 

Additional Notes

 

The Trans Pennine Trail project has been developed by a unique partnership of 26 local authorities across the North of England with a central office based here in Barnsley.
TPT between Liverpool and Hull is designated as the E8 - European Long Distance walking route
TPT forms part of the National Cycle Network and is signed and numbered accordingly.
TPT links the seaside resort of Southport and the city of Liverpool on the Irish Sea to the City of Hull and the seaside town of Hornsea on the North Sea. North and South extensions from Leeds to Chesterfield, plus a link to historic York.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Outlined below are the main queries / comments people usually raise;

1. Signing
It is recognised that good signing of the Trail is essential. Installation and maintenance of TPT signs is the responsibility of the relevant Council.

2. Maintenance
General path maintenance such as surfacing and cutting back vegetation is usually the responsibility of the Council. Problems with over-grown vegetation should be reported direct to the countryside or public rights of way service.

3. Motorcycles
Use of the TPT by motorcycles and other motorised vehicles is illegal (a few exceptions exist where farm or public utility vehicles have a right of access) and should be reported direct to the local Police. Genuine Trail users feel threatened and inconvenienced by irresponsible motorcycle behaviour. Report motorcycle abuse on the TPT to your local Police and insist on being allocated an incident number to ensure that the incident has been officially recorded. Forms for monitoring motorcycle abuse on the trail and the police response to your complaint are available from National TPT office.

4. Access Barriers
Motorcycle access barriers have been installed on the TPT by the Council. The design and level of restriction they cause varies. We know that some trail users experience problems with some access barriers (eg, some disabled users, or cyclists with trailers). The Council currently employs access barriers as a deterrent to illegal users. Please inform Barnsley public rights of way service if you experience difficulties.

5. Anti-social Behaviour
Anti-social behaviour such as dog fouling, litter and graffiti spoil the trail for everyone. Help us to keep the trail in good condition by taking litter home and cleaning up after your dog. If you encounter any problems of this nature please report them to the Council's Environmental Regulatory Unit. Criminal damage on the TPT is a police matter and should be reported to them. Please ensure that your complaint has been properly recorded and note the name / telephone number of the person you speak to in case you wish to follow it up.

6. Horse Riders
The majority of the TPT in Barnsley is available for horse riders. Short sections of the Barnsley Canal towpath at Royston are unavailable but an alternative bridleway route has been provided.

7. TPT Route Maps
There are three maps covering the whole of the Trans Pennine Trail, showing the route to a sufficiently large scale (1:50,000). The majority of the Trail within Barnsley can be found on Map 2 (Central) - Yorkshire & Derbyshire. This shows the route from Penistone eastwards. The remaining western section of the Trail, from Penistone to Longdendale, can be found on Map 1(West) - Irish Sea to Pennines. Please contact Trans Pennine Trail National Office for details (01226) 772574.

 

Related Links:

• Trans Pennine Trail

Last modified on 17/9/2008