BMC respond to possible Roaches sale

Following the news last week that Peak District National Park Authority is considering the sale of the Roaches Estate, the British Mountaineering Council has issued a response.

On the BCM website Cheif Executive, Dave Turnbul,l says “The BMC has been closely involved with the Peak District National Park Authority on this and other ‘asset disposal’ issues over the past few years. “We’re aware of several major land management organisations who might be interested in taking on this large estate and we are confident that future access for climbers will be assured under any new arrangement – the land is mapped as open country under CRoW anyway."

The BMC already leases a climbing hut at the Roaches, with a secure lease - "so even if the wider estate ends up with a different management regime, access to the hut will be secure. Climbers and walkers can be assured that the BMC is very much on the case with this iconic site.” With more than 700 routes on the iconic cliffs the Roaches is one of the most important areas for rock climbing in the UK, with the mix of moorland and woodland also providing a valuable resource for ramblers on the 975 acre estate.


photo courtesy A Taste of The Peak District