Two paths in Haworth that run through an area known locally as Donkey Fields, have been cleared of overgrown vegetation and improvements have been made to their surface thanks to staff from Bradford Council and volunteers.
The footpaths from Mytholmes Lane to Acre Lane are in an area which is used by locals as a route to get to school, for dog walking, as well as by visitors and had become overgrown. A drainage issue had also been identified and the surface of the two paths had begun to break up.
Initial temporary work to fill holes and level out the surface to make it safer and easier to use was carried out by the Council’s Countryside Team. A call out for local volunteers was made and a date was set for work to clear the vegetation and further improve the surface of the paths.
Local young farmers were among those who answered that call and were the first to make a start turning out early morning and made a great start on clearing overgrown areas.
This was followed by a team effort from council staff, elected members, and local volunteers (including two who’d travelled from Bingley). With the council’s Countryside Team bringing one of their diggers to clear out the drainage channels running alongside the path, as well as scraping and clearing vegetation overgrowing its surface.
Others set out with shovels, pickaxes, rakes and brushes to clear out vegetation from the path along the wall. Much needed refreshments were also provided by one local resident.
The council’s Countryside and Rights of Way Team and Highways Team are now working together to look at a more permanent solution for the surface of the path.
Bradford Council’s Countryside Service Manager, Danny Jackson, said: “This was a fabulous team effort involving several council departments and superb work by local and not so local volunteers including local young farmers bringing their experience, equipment and enthusiasm. I’d like to thank everyone who helped in whatever capacity they could, including bringing us much needed refreshments.”
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “Danny and the team do a fantastic job managing our amazing countryside and it’s really great to see so much support from local volunteers as well. As you can imagine in a district that is two thirds rural, it’s a huge job and partnership working with local groups and residents means we can achieve so much more together.”
Bradford Council’s small Countryside and Rights of Way team works to maintain over 1,000km of footpaths, bridleways & byways and regularly work with the local Walkers Are Welcome groups and friends of groups who help with the upkeep of footpaths across the district.
