Parking around the Marquis Drive Visitors centre has become very very busy since the opening of the Forestry Commission Trails ( Follow the Dog and Monkey Trail) on Cannock Chase. Marquis Drive is actually a Staffordshire County Council site and local riders often use the car park to access Follow the Dog which runs close by.
The Parking situation became intolerable for the visitors centre this summer with several near accidents and conflict between the various users of the centre, particular as there is a cafe and big adventure playground on site which attracts many families.
The County Council have therefore created a one way system through the centre but have also designated a series of car parks at ‘nine gates’ approx 1/2 a kilometre down the road specifically for bikers. It is hoped that local riders will use this car park instead of Marquis Drive and relieve some of the congestion there.
The Council has added bike racks and the car park is close to the bike wash facility at the visitors centre.