Record rainfall has damaged one of the most iconic mountain bike routes in Kielder Water & Forest Park but swift repairs have been completed to ensure all trails remain open.
Water cascading down 2,000-ft Deadwater Fell last week badly damaged 100m of the black-rated Deadwater Trail, opened in 2007, carving craters up to three feet deep.
However, rangers linked up with north east staff from BT, who were on a corporate team building day, to transport 15 tonnes of stone and rock to fill in the route, allowing it to re-open after just six days off-limits.
Alex MacLennan, Forestry Commission public affairs manager for the north east, said: “Staff who have worked in Kielder for 30 years say they have never seen flood water like this on Deadwater. Overall the forest drainage system has worked remarkably well, but the damage to a forest road which over spilled onto the Deadwater Trail was very serious.
“Fortunately everyone pulled together, including BT volunteers, who were already slated to help us build a new trail section in Kielder, but who switched tasks to provide crucial help in reinstating the damaged route.”
All mountain bike trails in Kielder Water & Forest Park are currently useable; a tribute, according to the Forestry Commission, to their all-weather design and construction.
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