MOBILE telephone giants Orange have been attacked for churning up the only grass bridleway in Silsden and turning it into a "mudbath".

Riders have also been told that the company could dig up the path and replace it with hardcore material - the worst surface for a horse's feet.

And construction vehicles have also ridden roughshod over an historic stone which is the subject of a protection order.

The problems began when the company - whose slogan is The Future's Bright - tried to get access to a new site for a telecommunications mast at the top of Holden Lane.

Lisa Norris, of the Silsden-Addingham-Draughton Bridleway Group, first spotted the "mess" and alerted rights of way officers.

"Not only do horseriders use the bridleway, but it's also a popular spot for picnickers and now it's all been churned up by the vehicles which have attempted to come up here," she said.

Mrs Norris added that contractors had even attempted to get an articulated lorry up the bridleway.

And their vehicles had trundled over a stone in the ground which includes historic carvings.

"They've done it at the wrong time of year," she continued. "In summer it would've been alright, but doing it when it's wet is just stupid.

"Orange have said they intended to use the bridleway as an access road and were considering putting hardcore down.

"But this is the only grass bridleway left in Silsden and hardcore is hard on horses' feet. This is the worse thing they can put down."

Mrs Norris said cyclists were also up in arms over the state of the path and its possible future.

The Herald contacted Bradford Council's rights of way department whose representatives met Orange officials this week.

A spokesman said: "Unfortunately the work being carried out by Orange has churned up the grassed bridleway.

"However, we have asked the company to ensure it is reinstated to its original condition and it has agreed to do this once the work is complete."

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