Lorries blamed for Menston path damage to be replaced (From Wharfedale Observer)

Lorries blamed for Menston path damage to be replaced

7:25pm Wednesday 31st October 2007 in Local news By Annette McIntyre

Cumbersome refuse lorries blamed for damaged flags on an ancient village footpath, are to be replaced with old-fashioned trucks.

Repeated heavy traffic driving along the private road at Bleachmill Lane, Menston, had caused flagstones on the pathway to split, according to one of the area's residents.

The footpath, built to serve the old Bleach Mills at Burley Woodhead in the 1870s, had become a safety hazard for pedestrians who risked tripping up or falling on the broken flagstones.

The resident, who asked not to be named, claimed that frequent visits from heavy refuse lorries, introduced by Bradford District Council a number of years ago, had contributed to the deterioration of the footpath.

But, following a report in this newspaper last week, the council has agreed to revert to the older and lighter refuse trucks' used to collect rubbish in the past.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "We have reviewed the vehicles providing services to these properties and the weekly refuse collection service will be collected with a smaller vehicle in future.

"Unfortunately, it is not practical to change the vehicles used for the monthly recycling visits. The council regrets the inconvenience to residents and road users caused during the delivery of these essential services.

"However if residents have other suggestions regarding collections we would be happy to discuss them but all residents have to be in agreement.

"We will look into the footpath damage."

Councillor Chris Greaves said: "In the long term we still need to find a solution to the existing damage but at least this will reduce the harm being done to the pathway at least 52 times a year."