Repairs to Pennine Way footpath completed

Essential repair work on a popular section of the Pennine Way National Trail has been completed.

The Pennine Way stretches 268 miles (431km) from the Derbyshire Peak District to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders and the section that passes through Bradford takes in scenes from the dramatic moorlands of Brontë country.

The footpath that crosses Oakworth Moor above Stanbury was damaged by water erosion and walkers creating alternative pathways, Bradford Council said.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, executive member for regeneration, said: "The improvements have already made a significant difference for those using the route and it's now an easier and more pleasant place to walk."

Five sections of the trail, totalling 300 metres (984ft), have been restored with measures including new stone flags, relaying existing paving and repairs to a drystone wall stile.

Damaged waymarking signs have been cleaned or replaced, mud and vegetation was removed from the path and drains and ditches were also cleared as part of the project.

The council said work was carried out using methods that would cause minimal disturbance to the sensitive blanket bog and heathland habitats in the area.

Ross-Shaw said: "The weather held out to allow the new stretch of stone flagging to be laid and reinforcement of the subsoil carried out on the route to guide walkers along a clear, sustainable path.

"As the area enters a recovery phase, natural vegetation is expected to re-establish over the coming months."

He said teams would revisit the site in the spring to assess whether further repair works would be needed.

Heather Proctor, manager at Pennine National Trails Partnership, said: "The project on Oakworth Moor was the largest undertaken on the Pennine Way in the Bradford area for many years.

"The new stone flags have already made a significant improvement to the experience of walkers on our oldest and most iconic National Trail, and I'm sure now that the work is completed more people will be encouraged to use this part of the trail and experience the wonderful landscape it has to offer."

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