[Closed] Another trail gone 🙁

Not familiar with it at all (and can't access Instagram), but the standard question - was the work sanctioned/permitted?

Do you know if it was the three main lines that were removed?

I'm not sure - I think it was everything. I believe the they were in discussions with FC about getting it sanctioned and they were flattened without warning

3 main ones at what I class 'the start'
And the 2 new ones where I class 'over the back'
Basically the main built up ones, the less built original ones in the middle are still there at least for the time being.

All flattened and ground gone over.

It had got crazy popular for an unsanctioned set of tracks in a tiny bit of wood...

Ah, ok. I'd preferred the more natural trails in the middle, but my partner had just started riding and found the three at the start really good!

Shame they've gone, but it had got very busy.

Terrible, imagine something getting busy, folk daring to get outdoors. Tsk.

The trails have been there for years in one form or another, FC cheerfully turned a blind eye for all that time (the trails are completely visible, and all roll-able if that's your thing).
A mix of people went there, families, yoofs, old farts like me. Not much litter and no massive doubles that could maim the over-confident, so it seems heavy handed.
And yes I know they are unsanctioned trails but they are also a lovely change from Sherwood Pines...

Is it possible the increase in usage has also then got more complaints being raised by people who use the area but don't bike? If they have been there for years and are as you describe then it sounds more like a reaction to something rather than just getting round to flattening them...anyone aware of any complaints?

I don't know, when I've been there everyone seemed to be playing nicely.
There was a little boy (about 5 years old) walking with his grandparents and he was shouting "You're a dick!" at everyone (as grandparents tried to shush him) but I doubt he emailed the FC!

There was a little boy (about 5 years old) walking with his grandparents and he was shouting “You’re a dick!” at everyone (as grandparents tried to shush him) but I doubt he emailed the FC!

No - but his Grandparents might.

It'll be down to complaints or if there have been accidents.  Either is very possible at the moment.

My local spot suffered the same this last year. Trails had existed for years, there had been dialogue about what was and wasn't acceptable and the last time I spoke to the trail builders they were looking at presenting a shared use path and trying to limit conflict. But it seems Covid and lockdown was the tipping point. Regulars were there more often, bored kids were finding them, resulting in a wee bit of anti social behaviour and obviously more walkers and family's. There's also a posh hotel and some Telegraph reading home owners who I think carried more weight with their complaints to the local land owner.

@BillOddie, I had a nice chat with the grandparents so I doubt they did. Accidents may well have occurred if it has been silly busy (I'm only there at odd times and sometimes have it to myself).

On a related note there is always talk of landowners being liable for people injuring themselves on said land, but how often does this actually happen? And couldn't signs be put up saying "Enter at your own risk" rather like how car parks deny liability for damage to your car whilst it is there?

In my local area forestry England have put up signs saying please don't ride here and bulldozed the bigger jumps (because of grumpy dog walkers) and I think the tipping point was definitely teenagers finding it and dropping litter and being antisocial

I was going to ride over there tomorrow on a big loop from Hucknall to Pines and then through Blidworth Bottoms, Sansom Woods to Watch wood. Gutted 🙁
I did see on a YouTube vid earlier in the week that the bigger jump line at the top had gone but the 3 at the other side still existed, obviously not now.

Shame. Lived in Nottingham for nearly 20 years and never found that. (Got as far as Sansom but never over the road unfortunately).

I'm not missing trails - moved to wales. But still, that sucks 🙁

I'm pretty gutted about this as Watchwood is one on my regular haunts and I was just getting on top of the new 'number 2' line and would have loved a summer to master it.

The recent building/modifications were a victim of their own success, as it had gotten so busy. However, there must have been some communication with the community as the trails were modified specifically to exclude the bottom path. This means that all the dog walkers are away from any trails, and only need to share a wide fire road with cyclists who cycle slowly to the next trail, then sit talking for too long before descending again.

The only issue I've ever seen there is when someone's runaway dog  chased a cyclist down one of the trails.

I think the only reason they haven't flattened the middle trails is the density of trees there making it difficult (difficult enough with 800mm bars sometimes!)