TPT Members Meeting – looking back and looking forward

On Thursday 3^rd October 2024, the Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) team gathered virtually for their annual Members Steering Group meeting on Microsoft Teams. This year marked a special milestone as the TPT celebrated its 35th anniversary. The meeting was a delightful mix of highlights of this year’s achievements and looking forward to exciting future plans, all aimed at enhancing the Trail’s accessibility and user experience.

The team were also joined by keynote speakers Nick Chamberlin from Active Travel England, and Ed Clancy and Nicola Marshall from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

Opening the Meeting – John Wilson, Chair of the TPT Partnership, kicked off the meeting with a warm welcome. He highlighted the pride and joy the TPT has brought to countless people over the years and emphasised the importance of collaboration among members, volunteers, and partners, which has been the cornerstone of the TPT’s success.

Following John’s introduction, Mandy Loach, and Hannah Beaumont, presented the teams progress this year and their vision for the future.

TPT Presentation – Mandy provided a comprehensive overview of the strategic vision and the role of the National Office, discussing the importance of maintaining high-quality standards and ensuring accessibility for all users. She also highlighted the various themes guiding the TPT’s work, including promotion and marketing, project resilience, volunteering, research and development, quality standards, and environmental sustainability.

Hannah shared exciting updates on the TPT’s promotional efforts. The TPT website has undergone significant improvements, transforming it into a comprehensive ‘one-stop shop’ for all Trail-related information. The team has also launched various initiatives, such as podcasts, blogs, and children’s activity packs, to engage with a diverse user base.

Mandy discussed the importance of securing financial contributions to maintain the TPT National Office and preserve staff positions. She also mentioned the ongoing efforts to achieve national trail status, which would bring significant funding and recognition to the TPT.

Hannah highlighted the invaluable contributions of the TPT’s supporters and volunteers. From maintaining the Trail to providing feedback, these individuals play a crucial role in the TPT’s success. The team has set up various communication channels to keep everyone updated and engaged.

The meeting concluded with a look at future plans, including the continuation of the 35th-anniversary celebrations, advancing the “Take a Seat” campaign, and securing financial sustainability. The team is committed to enhancing the Trail’s accessibility and quality, ensuring it remains a valuable resource for all users.

As the TPT team looks ahead, they invite everyone to join them in championing the Trail. Whether it’s introducing new people to the route, organising group activities, or simply sharing your love for the Trail, every effort counts in making the TPT even better.

 Guest Speaker One – Our opening guest speaker was Nick Chamberlin from Active Travel England (ATE). ATE was founded to encourage active travel and operates within the UK Department for Transport. Chris Boardman, serving as the first Active Travel Commissioner for England, leads the organisation. ATE’s goal is to make walking, wheeling, and cycling the preferred modes of transport across England by 2030.

Nick Chamberlin’s presentation gave an overview of the agency’s purpose, strategic goals, and expert teams, highlighting the significance of collaborating with local governments to enhance active travel infrastructure. He also talked about the agency’s dedication to supporting projects that promote active travel, explaining how the TPT aligns with this vision and mentioning specific initiatives and funding opportunities that could benefit the Trail.

Guest Speaker Two – Our second guest speakers were Ed Clancy and

Nicola Marshall from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA). SYMCA is a partnership of four local authorities led by Mayor Oliver Coppard. It aims to create a stronger, greener, and fairer South Yorkshire with inclusive and sustainable growth. The authority’s focus areas include business growth and recovery, education, skills and employment, transport and active travel, housing, infrastructure, and achieving net zero emissions.

Ed Clancy and Nicola Marshall’s presentation highlighted the strategic priorities and specialist teams within SYMCA. They underscored the importance of collaboration with local government to improve active travel infrastructure. Both speakers emphasized the vital role of the Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) in supporting active travel and sustainable transport. They discussed how their initiatives would integrate with the TPT to improve accessibility and user experience, ensuring it continues to serve as an essential resource for walking, cycling, horse riding, and wheeling.

Friends of the TPT – The Friends of the TPT presentation was a key part of the meeting given by Chair, Simon Geller. The presentation highlighted the invaluable contributions of the Friends of the Trans Pennine Trail in maintaining and enhancing the Trail. The Friends’ Board held an “awayday” in Leeds in July to plan for the future, resulting in several action points. These included reaching out to TPT partners to identify major projects, offering small grants for improvements, encouraging legacies to support the Friends’ work, and gaining new Friends through various initiatives.
In summary, the members meeting was highly successful, and we are already anticipating next year’s event, which will again take place on Microsoft Teams. We are also considering arranging an on-site visit.

Please mark your calendars for Thursday, 2nd October 2025

Date: 4th October 2024