A PROPOSAL for a new footpath in Burley Woodhead has received a welcome boost, thanks to a grant of £2,000 from the Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust.

The idea for the project to construct a new path adjacent to a stretch of the busy road in Burley Woodhead came from the Burley-in-Wharfedale Walkers are Welcome group.

David Asher, chairman of the group said: "There is currently a 500 metre gap from where the current tarmac path ends in Burley Woodhead on the road towards Ilkley, and the corner with Stead Lane. Despite this being a narrow and very busy stretch of road where there has been a number of accidents in recent years, many walkers, runners and local residents risk their life by going along here on a regular basis. We have long thought that a safe footpath created on the south verge of the road would, therefore, benefit many people as well as open up access to a number of footpaths. For instance the path along Stead Lane leads to various options of routes towards Ilkley and Ben Rhydding, as well as back to Burley. A new path would also provide an alternative for people walking or running the nearby Ebor Way and Dales Way Link long distance paths who might struggle to cross Coldstone Beck higher up on the moor following heavy rain."

The group undertook a consultation exercise with Burley Woodhead residents living closest to the proposed path earlier in the year and received a resounding vote of approval, including pledges and donations towards the £5,000 cost amounting to £1,140. The group has also been awarded a £500 grant towards the path by Burley Parish Council.

David Asher added: "Bradford Highways have assessed the project as viable and have offered to do the work providing we can raise the money. The Ramblers Holidays donation means we are now more than half way towards meeting our target, so we are very grateful indeed for the vote of confidence from the Trustees. We also hope to hear the outcome of other grant applications shortly, and it would be brilliant if we were able to start planning for the work to be completed later this year."

For more information about the proposed path or to find out how to make a donation, contact the group at burleywalkersarewelcome@gmail.com or via their website www.waw-burleyinwharfedale.org/.