Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
01
May
Crimple Valley walking loop still blocked – but should open soon
A short stretch of path in the Crimple Valley, south of Harrogate, continues to be blocked, weeks after it was supposed to have been cleared to create a circular walking route – but should open soon, according to North Yorkshire Council.
As the Stray Ferret has previously reported, the council issued an order to create the public right of way in 2023.
The section is less than 10 metres long, but it joins up two existing bridleways to make a mile-long loop for walkers to follow around the valley, including a stretch alongside about 14 arches of the Crimple railway viaduct.
Bridleway 61 (blue) and bridleway 129 (orange) can now be joined by Rudding Park's Railway Bridleway (green) following the Order to create the new stretch (red).
The short stretch of land linking up the two existing bridleways is owned by businessman Craig Eastwood, who had declined to open it up to the public due to concerns that an increase in footfall would damage his land and unleashed dogs could scare his livestock.
But a government inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was unconvinced and in February this year confirmed the creation order made by North Yorkshire Council in 2023.
Mr Eastwood then had 42 days to challenge the decision in the High Court, a period that ended on March 24 – five weeks ago.
Yet the route remains unpassable. A reader has contacted us to say:
Nothing has changed and the path remains a cul-de-sac. I hope the barrier will be removed very soon, especially while we can look forward to more good weather.
A map in the Crimple Valley showing the route of the existing bridleway.
We asked North Yorkshire Council what it planned to do to enforce the decision.
The council’s executive member for highways and transportation, Cllr Keane Duncan, whose responsibilities include public rights of way, said:
We are hopeful that the Crimple Viaduct bridleway will be open to the public in the near future.
The High Court challenge period has ended, and we have not been made aware of any challenges. As a result, we have updated our maps to show the new bridleway.
While a contractor has yet to be appointed, the area rights of way officer has been in touch with the landowner to organise the works, which will involve installing a new gate and possible repairs to a second one.
One of the people who has been following the case most closely is Andrew Willoughby, vice-chair of Harrogate group of The Ramblers. He said:
In some ways it doesn’t bother me that the bridleway will be opened up later than expected. By far the most important thing is that when it does open, it opens permanently. A delay of a few weeks is nothing to worry about – these things can take a bit of time to sort out.
But I’m really hopeful it will open soon. When I hear it is, I’ll go and take a look. Fingers crossed it will all be fine.
0