AS long as Bradford's Countryside Service lives up to its promises - and we have no reason to suspect that it won't - the future of Ilkley Moor seems secure for at least the next ten years.

The intention to control predators, cut back on bracken and maintain and extend the heather cover is exactly what the people of Ilkley have been calling for. It was also good news that countryside officers have promised to keep the public shelters, the paddling pool and Ilkley Tarn in good order.

In fact, there seems to be little in the draft management plan that residents of Ilkley could take issue with. The ban on grouse shooting imposed by Bradford Council raised quite a few hackles in the area, with some seeing it as unwarranted interference and the imposition of politically correct dogma on a traditional country pursuit.

However, as the countryside service seems to want to maintain the council-owned part of the moor as a habitat for grouse, there does not seem a lot to take issue with.

Since it was passed into public ownership in 1893 Ilkley Moor has been a priceless asset to the people of Ilkley. Unlike the privately-owned part of the moor, public access over the 1,670 acres owned by Bradford Council is unlimited on foot and horseback.

However, at the back of Bradford Council's draft plan for the moor there is a section on finance. This states that approximately £5,000 a year is spent by City Hall on Ilkley Moor. We are sure that if that figure was raised somewhat the countryside service could do an even better job than they do already.

Perhaps, during the further consultation period of the plan, someone might make this suggestion.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.