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Danny Hart's Descend Bike Park in Hamsterley Forest, County Durham, is at risk of closure after its owners were told that Forestry England does not intend to renew the site's lease when it expires. Part of the forest is planned to be felled, which could ultimately bring an end to the bike park.
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The North East's leading dedicated downhill and 4X park, Descend, has run in Hamsterley Forest for over 20 years, offering a variety of downhill tracks with multiple line options for riders from beginner to expert level, alongside an uplift service on weekends.
What has been said
Bishop Auckland MP Sam Rushworth set out the concerns in a Facebook post, after the park's owners raised the issue at one of his constituency surgeries. Rushworth says he has written to the Forestry England on the matter and is continuing to engage with them, with the owners' permission to speak publicly about the situation.
Rushworth visited the park recently to see young riders taking part in races and hand out prizes, describing the atmosphere as fantastic and highlighting the role the park plays in giving people of all ages a positive, active pursuit and a sense of community. He also pointed to the wider local benefit, noting that the park brings visitors into the area who go on to support businesses in Bishop Auckland town centre, including Inspiral Cycles.
No response from Forestry England has been published at the time of writing.
Bike parks on Forestry England land typically operate under fixed-term concession leases on working, timber-producing forest, meaning felling cycles, tree disease management and lease expiry dates can all collide with a bike park's future in a way they would not on privately owned land.
What happens next
Rushworth says he wants to see the park continue and has called for ways to keep opportunities like Descend open rather than lose them. iBikeRide will continue to follow the story and update this article as more information becomes available from the Forestry England or Forestry England.
Having ridden Descend a number of times over the years, iBikeRide is firmly behind the campaign to keep the park open and will keep readers updated as the situation develops.
If you ride at Descend or have a view on its future, comment below, spread the word and check out Danny Hart's Descend Bike Park listing on iBikeRide where you can also add your review, comments, photos or videos.
Update: 14th August: Forestry England Response
We sent the above article to Forestry England for comment, and this is their response:
"Descend Bike Park has been a key part of the Hamsterley Forest visitor experience in recent years, welcoming many mountain bikers to the forest and helping establish Hamsterley as one of the region’s leading mountain biking destinations.
It is not accurate to say that Forestry England has decided to "close down" Descend Bike Park when the current lease expires. Commercial leases across the nation’s forests are evaluated to ensure they continue to meet our objectives and deliver the best experience. As leases expire, any future opportunities are considered through Forestry England's normal procurement processes.
Hamsterley is a working forest, providing sustainable, home-grown timber alongside opportunities for recreation and wildlife. Forestry operations are planned in the area occupied by Descend Bike Park as part of the approved Hamsterley Forest Plan. These works are required to manage the long-term health and resilience of the forest and to address risks associated with the stability of the tree canopy.
Due to the scale of the planned forestry operations, it would not be safe or practical for the bike park trails to remain open while the work is taking place. These operations are expected to take up to six months, although timings remain subject to operational requirements.
This information was communicated to the current operator ahead of signing their five-year lease agreement in 2023, with works delayed to take place outside this period to help minimise business impact. Following these operations, Forestry England will assess the condition of the site and consider future cycling options in line with our usual commercial and procurement processes. Any future opportunities would be subject to the appropriate competitive process, and no outcome can be predetermined.
We continue to engage with the current operator and recognise the value Descend Bike Park brings to both the local community and visiting riders. We understand that some will be disappointed by the prospect of disruption and are committed to keeping stakeholders informed as plans develop. We remain willing to discuss future location options with the current operator. Any alternative location would need to be suitable for all parties, operationally viable and subject to the relevant permissions and approvals.
Forestry England remains committed to providing high-quality cycling opportunities at Hamsterley Forest. Alongside Descend, the forest offers a wide range of mountain biking trails and Forestry England has recently invested in additional cycling facilities elsewhere across the nation’s forests, including new downhill trails at Kielder Forest in Northumberland."