Highlights from the TPT Members Meeting 2025 

October 2025, the Trans Pennine Trail Partnership (TPT) brought together partners, volunteers, and supporters for a morning packed with fresh ideas, strategic vision, and community spirit. Whether you’re a seasoned Trail supporter or just discovering the TPT, here’s what you missed and why it matters. 

A Small Team, a National Impact
Kicking off the meeting, Mandy and Hannah shared how a small but mighty team coordinates with 26 local authorities and to hear about some of the projects they’ve done over the past year. Their mission? To champion accessibility and sustainability across more than 370 miles of the Trans Pennine Trail, connecting communities and encouraging active lifestyles. 

What’s New on the Trail? 

• Collaboration at the Core: The TPT thrives on partnership, from its Members Steering Group to the Friends of the TPT Board of Trustees. This collaborative spirit keeps the Trail inclusive and well-maintained. 

• A Vision for Everyone: The TPT aims to be a nationally recognised, accessible recreational and sustainable route for walking, cycling, horse riding, and wheeling.  

• Innovation in Action: Recent projects include website upgrades, accessible mapping (with Disabled Ramblers), and the “Take a Seat” campaign, making the Trail more comfortable for all. 

• Funding the Future: Securing sustainable funding remains a challenge, with the team raising the profile that a £67 million wish list for Trail improvements is needed. 

• Community Power: Volunteers and groups like the Friends of the TPT and the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust keep the Trail lively and welcoming. The small grants scheme continues to support local projects and community engagement. 

• Listening & Improving: New tools like the problem reporting system and annual visitor survey help TPT respond to user needs, with accessibility and sustainability at the heart of every improvement. 

• Looking Ahead: The TPT office will focus on securing sustainable funding, enhancing accessibility, and maintaining strong governance. We’ll promote the Trail through updated digital content and community engagement, support volunteers, and drive innovation with digital tools. Our efforts will also prioritise high quality standards, environmental sustainability, and the ongoing campaign for National Trail status, while acting on user feedback to improve the Trail experience. 

Spotlight on National Trails UK: Polly Martin’s Vision
A highlight of the meeting was the presentation by Polly Martin, Chief Executive of National Trails UK. Polly painted a vivid picture of the challenges and opportunities facing the UK’s 20 National Trails. She emphasised the urgent need for increased funding; pointing out that, despite network growth, budgets haven’t kept pace with inflation since 2015. National Trails UK is campaigning to double the current £2.5 million budget from Natural England to ensure these iconic routes remain accessible and well-maintained. 

Polly outlined the organisation’s four strategic pillars: strengthen, advocate, inspire, and build organisational resilience. She spoke passionately about the importance of co-creative membership, evidence-based advocacy, and inspiring a more diverse range of people to enjoy the Trails. National Trails UK is also developing a new membership model to support both designated and emerging long-distance routes, and is working on a unified website and expanded communications to raise the profile of all National Trails. 

Recent successes include distributing £175,000 in “access for all” funding and developing a National Trails manifesto for the upcoming Westminster election. Polly’s message was clear: partnership and advocacy are key to securing the future of the UK’s trails for everyone. 

Outdoor Recreation Network: Connecting for Impact
Originally established in 1968 as the Countryside Recreation Network, it evolved into the ORN to reflect its expanded scope. The network’s vision is to ensure that people from all backgrounds can responsibly enjoy and engage with the outdoors, while its mission focuses on supporting members through collaboration, research sharing, information exchange, and championing inclusive and sustainable practices. ORN’s structure includes Co-Chairs, an Executive Committee, a Secretariat team.   

Guest speakers James Nevitt (Co-Chair, Outdoor Recreation Network) and Elizabeth Arnett (Outdoor Recreation Network) introduced the ORN’s action plan for 2028. The plan addresses five priority themes: improving access and accessibility, enhancing health and wellbeing, managing climate change impacts, protecting nature and promoting responsible access, and maximising impact with limited resources. Key initiatives include fostering inclusive access, developing strategic approaches to climate response, advocating for collaborative solutions, and diversifying income streams.  

Get Involved!
The meeting closed with a call to partnership, innovation, and community engagement. Whether you’re a regular on the Trail or just curious, there are plenty of ways to get involved – volunteer, join the Friends, or simply share your Trail experiences. 

Watch for the upcoming TPT 2025 Annual Report and Visitor Survey and stay connected via the TPT website or newsletters. The journey to a more accessible, sustainable trail continues – why not be part of it? 

Date: 24th October 2025

              
Mandy Loach            Hannah Beaumont    Robert Drummond