Way to go!

FORGOTTEN PATH BROUGHT BACK INTO USE THANKS TO ENVIRONMENTAL RANGERS

A FOOTPATH that has been hidden away for 15 years is now back in use after being discovered during a litter pick.

The footpath runs between Bradley Mills Road and Kilner Bank and was recently discovered by Lucy Smith, a Kirklees Council Environment Ranger, while she was on one of her litter picking rounds.

It has not been fully accessible for many years, that was until Lucy spotted something that caught her eye one day.

“I was on my normal rounds and spotted what looked like the entrance to something hidden among the brambles, shrubs and undergrowth,” she said.

“I asked some of the locals about it and they told me that there was a path underneath it all, but it had not seen the light of day for years.

“As Rangers, we can self-refer a job that we notice on our rounds, rather than waiting for a member of public to bring it to our attention or it come up on schedule.

“I reported it and got approval for my fellow Ranger Rebecca to help me to clear it.

“I’m personally delighted with the outcome. It’s like bringing a bit of Huddersfield’s history back to life as it’s clearly a very old footpath.”

It took Lucy and colleague Rebecca Hoyle two full days to cut back the brambles, shrubs and undergrowth before removing about half a ton of mud to clear the concrete steps on the 250ftlong path.

Kirklees Council’s team of Environment Rangers have more than 1,000 miles of recorded Public Rights of Way (PRoW) to maintain which include footpaths, bridleways and byways.

Colin Parr, Strategic Director for Environment and Climate Change at Kirklees Council, said: “Lucy has already had people that live near the path tell her just how much difference it is making to them, as it is now far easier for them to access amenities at the bottom of Bradley Mills Road.

“The open footpath also provides easier access into the green spaces along Kilner Bank, which is helping people appreciate our environment and keep fit.

“Our Rangers take a personal interest in the work they do and to see this lost bit of the town uncovered and in use is testimony to Lucy, Rebecca and the other Rangers who work so hard to keep Kirklees clean and green.”

Kirklees Council recently made it possible for residents to look up footpaths, bridleways and byways on an interactive map on its website.

Mr Parr added: “We have nearly 1,900 PRoWs in the District, which our small team monitor and it’s a great help when residents tell us about them being blocked or overgrown.

“With our interactive map residents can go online and check if a route is recorded as a PRoW.

“The map is also useful when it comes to planning applications or if you are looking at buying property in the area. It is a great free resource”.