A RANGER is urging people to take their litter home as he expects a popular greenway linking Bradford and Kirklees to be well used over the holidays and in the New Year. 

Rob Winslade, the ranger for Sustrans’ Spen Valley Greenway, is making the appeal as the local maintenance team prepares for a surge in use.

He says the time and money spent on litter collection could be better used on improving the path for everyone.

The seven-mile greenway between Dewsbury to Oakenshaw saw big increases in people walking, cycling or using mobility scooters during the lockdowns in 2020.

He collected 4,500 bin bags during 2020 compared to an average of 3,000 bags in previous years. Around 3,500 bags of litter have been collected in 2021 so far.

A 55-inch TV screen, bicycles and nappies were amongst the rubbish dumped on the path this year.

The path, which is owned and managed by walking and cycling charity Sustrans, has continued to be popular in 2021.

Mr Winslade said: “It’s great that more people are using the Spen Valley Greenway but please do take your litter home. We are a charity, there’s only one of me, and we have to pay for disposal of the litter.”