View of where the DH trails used to start

The access road is no longer a sea of mud

A few months down the line, and a lot of work has been carried out in the wood. Trees have been felled, the access road has been upgraded, there are new footpath markers in, environmental and Rights of Way surveys are underway, and the site has gone from being neglected - by everyone but mountain bikers - to being actively managed.

At the moment the woods aren't the most appealing place to look at. The University will be addressing this over the next few months and taking steps to clear up the mess from felling and replant some areas.

From our point of view, the best news is that an area is going to be "pencilled in" for mountain biking. It's not definite yet, but it's encouraging.

The current round of work will be drawing to a close around October 2010 so expect a further update then.

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Posted by Antony on Wednesday 30 June 2010
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We've now met up with the Bristol University and it appears there will be a future for riding at Still, although the woods aren't going to reopen immediately.

In the wake of the closure a lot of work is scheduled for the site, including forestry, improvements to access and an ecological survey. The work is going to continue throughout 2010.

We've been invited to go back to the University once this is completed and discuss terms for using the woods. Things are probably going to start small at first but it's possible that it could be built up into a proper riding venue over time. Any agreement to allow mountain biking there will probably take the form of a short-term licence to begin with, which will be subject to conditions and renewable yearly.

Much of the site work that is planned this year is essential before any future trail building can start. As anyone who used the site regularly knows, the access tracks are in a terrible state for much of the year, and the woodland hasn't been actively managed or surveyed for years. By conducting the work itself, the University is taking on tasks that we would otherwise have to do ourselves. Needless to say, we’d ask that everyone continue to respect the current ban on riding and building, and also any temporary closures of the wood which need to take place due to forestry and ground works.

We'll be keeping in touch with the University and once the current round of work is completed in a few months' time we'll let you know what the score is. Thanks again for all your support!

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Posted by Antony on Wednesday 17 February 2010
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Save Still Woods

On 29 October 2009, Bristol's only purpose-built downhill mountain biking venue, Still Woods, a.k.a the Plantation, was closed to mountain bikers by land owners Bristol University.

Help us work with the University to ensure the woods future as a respected mountain bike venue for all.

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