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11
Feb
Government inspector green-lights new Crimple Valley walking loop
Walkers will be able to follow a new circular route in Crimple Valley after a government inspector confirmed the creation of a new public bridleway.
The new section is less than 10 metres long, but it joins up two other paths to create a mile-long loop around the valley, including a stretch alongside about 14 arches of the Crimple railway viaduct.
The completed loop has been a long time coming. Bank in 2013, the owners of the Rudding Park estate signed an agreement to create a public bridleway along a disused railway line on their land. This is known as the Railway Bridleway.
The aim was to connect two existing public bridleways, one of which is a cul-de-sac route, but it was subsequently discovered that there was a short gap between the existing Crimple Bridleway and the new Railway Bridleway.
This land is not part of Rudding Park estate, and the landowner, farmer Craig Eastwood, declined to give permission for the new stretch, citing concerns that an increase in footfall would damage his land and unleashed dogs could scare his livestock.
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).
But North Yorkshire councillors decided that creating the new stretch to close the loop would be in the public interest and in 2023 issued what is officially known as North Yorkshire Council Public Bridleway No 15.43/14 Crimple Viaduct, Follifoot Creation Order 2023.
The move was supported by more than 100 members of the public as well as groups including the British Horse Society, Cycling UK and The Ramblers.
However, objections were made, citing concerns regarding trespass, sheep-worrying, dog-fouling, litter, fire, anti-social behaviour, damage to fences and gates, parking problems and access issues.
But in her order decision, published on Monday (February 10), Claire Tregembo, the inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, addressed these concerns in turn, and concluded:
I consider the proposed bridleway is needed for public use and would add to the convenience and enjoyment of the public and residents.
The issues raised are unlikely to be exacerbated by the proposed bridleway or the creation of a through route. Therefore, there are unlikely to be any adverse effects on the landowner or occupier.
Having regard to these and all other matters, I consider it is expedient to confirm the Order.
The decision has been welcomed by many. Andrew Willoughby, vice-chair of Harrogate Group of Ramblers, said:
We're very much in favour of what's happening. It should have happened decades ago.
Now that it's been approved by the government inspector, the usual scenario is that the route can be used immediately. But it may be that there are physical barriers that need to be removed first, and that will be for the landowner and North Yorkshire Countryside Services to sort out.
He said that according to the Blue Book (Rights Of Way: A Guide to Law and Practice - the definitive guide to rights of way law in England and Wales, published jointly by the Ramblers and the Open Spaces Society in 2007), the landowner can now apply to the High Court to get the decision quashed, or can apply for compensation to recompense him for his future lack of enjoyment of his land. He added:
Time will tell.
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