A NEW nature trail and wildlife meadow will be created thanks to the work of a residents’ group.

The under-construction trail will create a new link from the Higher Coach Road area of Baildon along the River Aire and to the Hirst Wood area.

There will be an area of wildflower planting and improvements to the surrounding area - which is currently an overgrown field next to Roberts Park.

The Higher Coach Road Residents’ Association has been pushing for a footpath on the site for several years - as long as the group has been running.

Along with Bradford Council’s Landscape Design and Conservation Team, the group has now secured the support of Pocket Parks Plus, Local Transport Plan and Baildon Town Council to fund the scheme.

Work has already started on the site.

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There will also be signage placed up around the site containing details of local wildlife and other walking trails, along with timber steps and handrails on the riverside embankments adjacent to an existing foot bridge near Hirst Mill.

Native trees will be planted along the pathway and timber seating located near the footpaths to encourage people to stop and enjoy the space.

As well as providing a new facility to residents and visitors, it is hoped the trail will add to Roberts Park’s offer.

It will provide much better access to the river and Leeds/Liverpool Canal for people living on the Baildon side of Roberts Park.

Although the field is a public area, it is not as well maintained as the park, and gets muddy in Winter.

Joseph Kean from the Resident’s group said: “We’ve been campaigning for this for four years. People have been very committed to this so we’re amazed to see it finally happening. And it is great to see it all happening so quickly.

“The reason we moved here was because it is an amazing bit of land, the countryside is right on your doorstep.

“It will help encourage everyone to be a bit more mindful about the environment.

“Higher Coach Road can seem a bit closed off, so this will really help open it up. This path will create a lovely pathway around the park and river.

“We’re very keen to promote local wildlife on this site and the wildflower meadow will really help.”

Councillor Alex Ross Shaw, Executive for regeneration and transport on Bradford Council, said: “We’re really pleased to be using some of our Local Transport Plan funding to contribute toward this fantastic scheme.

“The Higher Coach Road Residents Group have been working on improvements for their community for a while so it’s great to help them realise their ambitions and it’ll be a real asset for the area and Saltaire.”

Councillor Vick Jenkins (Lab, Shipley) said: “Higher Coach Road Residents group is a real asset to our community. They have achieved so much for their area.

“They work with others to make improvements that will benefit everyone. I am so excited about this latest win and fully support them in what they do.”

The area is a popular tourist attraction in the district, with Saltaire and Salts Mill, the Victorian Shipley Glen Tramway and the Leeds Liverpool Canal all a short walk from each other.