WALKERS in Burley-in-Wharfedale are celebrating the construction of a new bridge to replace a tricky stream crossing on the edge of the village.

The bridge and steps up the adjacent steep bank were built by Bradford Council’s Countryside Services team and completes the creation of a newly designated footpath linking Burley and Menston adjacent to the railway line. Although the route had been a popular unofficial path with walkers and runners for many years, landowners recently gave their consent for it to become a public right of way. The path will connect with the existing footpath network which had diversions put in place earlier in the year following the closure, on safety grounds, of the nearby railway level crossing. The cost of the bridge was met by the Peak and Northern Footpath Society, the oldest surviving regional footpath society in the UK having been founded 120 years ago. As well as contributing to the construction of the steps, volunteers from the Burley in Wharfedale Walkers are Welcome group also installed a kissing gate nearby on a popular route into Menston, replacing a stile that was in a dangerous condition.

David Asher, Chair of the group said: “The bridge, steps and the new footpath opens up an attractive, level and safe route between the two villages. Previously many people would not risk crossing the stream, and of course it was quite dangerous to do so after heavy rainfall. The whole project is an excellent example of how councils, landowners, residents and groups such as Peak and Northern and ourselves when working together can create a new recreational asset that will be well used, valued and enjoyed by many people of all ages for years to come. It has come at just the right moment, given that so many more people have been wanting to explore more of their countryside on their doorstep since lockdown. There is also a growing recognition of the benefits to good mental as well as physical health from walking and running. I’m pleased that Walkers are Welcome volunteers have been able to make a modest contribution towards encouraging good use of all of our footpaths this summer by clearing vegetation that was blocking paths and restarting our programme of replacing awkward or damaged stiles with kissing gates.”

Burley Walkers are Welcome restarted their programme of short guided walks during August. They will continue through the autumn with planning for three, five mile and longer walks now in place. Numbers are restricted and places have to be pre-booked in advance. Visit www.waw-burleyinwharfedale.org/, or email: burleywalkersarewelcome@gmail.com,