CONCERNS for the safety of walkers and runners in Burley Woodhead using the busy Moor Road running through the village have led to the recent opening of a new footpath.

The 300 metre path was opened following the conclusion of fundraising campaign by Burley-in-Wharfedale Walkers are Welcome which raised over £5,000 towards the cost.

A consultation exercise by the group earlier in the year identified widespread support for the idea particularly from Burley Woodhead residents living nearby.

Volunteers cleared the verge of scrub and roadside trees prior to Bradford Council Highways Department contractors completing the work. The path provides a safe link between the existing paved sections of path in Burley Woodhead and the extensive footpath network on the western edge of the village. It also creates an alternative route for users of the long distance Ebor Way and Dales Way link routes walking towards Ilkley, who may be concerned about crossing nearby Coldstone Beck on Burley Moor during bad weather.

David Asher, chairman of Burley-in-Wharfedale Walkers are Welcome, said: “We have spent the last four years improving many of the footpaths in and around Burley, Burley Woodhead and Stead to make them more accessible, for instance through replacing stiles with kissing gates and building bridges and steps where they are needed.

“The Moor Road footpath has been, though, our most ambitious project to date. We identified the need for it soon after we were formed, and had early discussion with Kevin Whitaker from Bradford Council Highways who confirmed it was feasible. Unfortunately it was not a priority for Council funding given the many pressures on their budget, so the only way we could proceed was to raise the money ourselves. We had to put it on the backburner as we were daunted by the scale of the fundraising task, but felt more confident about proceeding earlier on this year.

“The response from our consultation exercise with people living nearby was very encouraging, with a number pledging financial help or making donations. Burley-in-Wharfedale Parish Council gave the project their full support and helped kick-start our appeal with a £500 grant. This was followed by grants from the Long Distance Walkers Association and Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust and a fundraising event by Sue and Simon Richmond at Bleach Mill House raised an amazing £230. Burley-in-Wharfedale Community Trust helped us complete the appeal in October with a generous grant of £350. The path will significantly increase the options for runners and walkers who want to safely access lower level footpaths to Ben Rhydding, Ilkley and circular routes back to Burley using Stead Lane.

“For those wanting to head towards Ilkley on Burley Moor, there is also now an excellent alternative to crossing Coldstone Beck on the Ebor Way higher up on the moor.

“People can be anxious about the route as the path either side of the beck is steep, muddy and heavily eroded, and crossing can be quite hazardous after heavy rain.

“We hope we have made a useful contribution to walker and runner safety, therefore, in more ways than one. We are very grateful to all our funders, for the encouragement and support from local residents and land owners, and to Bradford Council Highways for their excellent work. Also to Michael Smith, gamekeeper from the Bingley Moor Partnership, who not only worked with us to take out some trees but also gave us use of his quad bike and trailer!”

The group have a number of working parties planned for 2019, including tree planting to replace trees felled to make way for the new path, and improvements to paths in Burley Woodhead, Ben Rhydding and Stead. Anyone interested in volunteering, or finding out more about the fortnightly programme of guided walks, visit www.waw-burleyinwharfedale.org/ or email burleywalkersarewelcome@gmail.com.

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