Environment Secretary Steve Barclay is being called on to speed up repairs to a length of riverside footpath in Ripon.

A section of the path that runs from Borrage Green Lane to High Cleugh is in danger of collapsing into the River Skell and has been blocked off with six foot high fencing at either end.

Parts of the path on the popular riverside route have been undercut by high and fast-running waters caused by higher than average rainfall.

Councillor Andrew Williams near the affected part of the path that has been fenced off.

Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams, who also represents the Minster and Moorside division on North Yorkshire Council, told members at Monday night’s full meeting:

“A long section of path is in a dangerous state and is currently not safe to use, so the North Yorkshire rights of way team has made it as safe as possible.

“They have also agreed to repair the path, but will only be able to do this when they have a permit from the Environment Agency to go into the river to carry out the work.”

The recently-repaired wooden bridge over the Skell is part of the popular route.

Members agreed to Cllr Williams’ proposal to call on Mr Barclay and Ripon’s MP Julian Smith to intervene on the city’s behalf to ensure the Environment Agency issues the permit as soon as possible, so repairs can be carried out when  the river drops to a safe level.

Cllr Pauline McHardy, who seconded the proposal, said:

“This footpath is supposed to be accessible to wheelchair users and families with prams and buggies and we need to ensure that it is returned to a condition that enables it to be enjoyed by everyone.”

Harrogate Borough Council has accepted an undisclosed sum to allow a footpath to be diverted at RHS Garden Harlow Carr.

The horticultural charity wants to divert the public right of way as part of wider plans for its Harrogate site. They include converting the former Harrogate Arms into a café and felling 33 trees to restore historic views.

A report to the council’s Cabinet this week says the local authority has accepted a sum, as landowner, to amend the route — however, the amount has not been released to the public.

The Conservative-controlled council is expected to ratify the decision on Wednesday.

The report says the ” relatively minor alteration” will be on land outside that presently leased to the RHS on which the footpath currently runs.

It adds:

“The RHS want the public right of way relocated in order to facilitate their preferred redevelopment scheme for the former Harrogate Arms public house which will create additional catering and teaching facilities on the site, relocation of the public right of way enables greater integration of this asset with their existing facilities.

“This represents an opportunity to generate an unplanned capital receipt which is financially beneficial and economically advantageous to the council.

“Should the opportunity be missed there is very little alternative potential to generate a similar payment for land in this area. This land offers no identifiable potential for long term capital appreciation aside from the current opportunity presented.”

The existing footpath

The new footpath

The report adds the public right of way will still be accessible from Crag Lane to Cardale Woodland and the changes will improve the footpath for walkers once work is complete.

It says the decision is “separate” to other RHS planning applications for the site but adds:

“Refusal could curtail RHS’ plans to develop a property (the former Harrogate Arms public house) that is currently derelict and which has been vacant for a number of years.”

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Andrew Willoughby, footpath secretary of Harrogate Group of Ramblers, said it did not object to the proposal. He added:

“In order to incorporate the old Harrogate Arms pub building into the RHS Harlow Carr garden site means moving the footpath away from the old car park at the front of the building, and walking around the back of the pub instead.

“The path will then drop towards the beck and cross on a new bridge before continuing through the woods as it presently does. It won’t be the same, but I don’t think it will be any less convenient for people to walk on.”

The felling of 500 trees with an infectious disease in the Nidd Gorge is now complete — but the Woodland Trust warns more are likely to be chopped down over the next couple of years.

Parts of the popular beauty spot in Bilton look a little different now after the felling, which has been taking place over the last month and involved the closure of some footpaths by the River Nidd.

The conservation charity, which owns Nidd Gorge, said the work was necessary to protect other trees in the woodland. The charity said it did not profit financially from the work.

The disease is called Phytophthora ramorum and has a devastating impact on native trees. Once infected, the tree eventually dies.

Larch trees like those found in Nidd Gorge are highly susceptible to the disease.

The Woodland Trust’s site manager, Jonny Walker, said:

“The planned felling work is complete. There is likely, however, to be more felling in the next 12 to 18 months. We are awaiting confirmation as to whether a further section of larch is also likely infected with Phytophthora ramorum and subject to a statutory plant health notice from the Forestry Commission.”

A poster about the works in Nidd Gorge

Planned work to improve footpaths will shortly be starting downstream of Rudding Bottoms with further disruption to footpath users.

But it is hoped once complete regular walkers should see safer, firmer footing along the riverside path.

Mr Walker added:

“There will also be removal of some diseased ash trees where they cause a danger to the public using the paths in the wood. Silvicultural work will also be taking place in the young woodland along Rudding Bottoms to promote varied canopy heights, gaps for sunlight, shelter for birds and invertebrates and to create deadwood habitat.

“All of which increase ecological integrity and are vital for a healthy woodland; something highlighted in State of the UK’s Woods and Trees report published by the Woodland Trust in 2021.”

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Five hundred larch trees will be felled in Nidd Gorge due to a disease that is ripping through the woodland.

The Woodland Trust, which owns Nidd Gorge, says the infectious disease is called phytophthora ramorum and is already having a devastating impact on native trees.

Government body Forestry England has given the trust permission to fell the trees before it spreads further.

It means some of the footpaths in the popular beauty spot will close this spring and summer whilst work takes place.

Paul Bunton, community engagement officer at the trust, said:

“It is devastating news for our site team and visitors that we are having to reluctantly fell these diseased trees at Nidd Gorge to protect others. Phytophthora ramorum, while of no risk to the public, is one of the biggest threats to our native tree species at the site.

“Nidd Gorge is and will remain a really popular and cherished woodland close to Harrogate and Knaresborough and we ask the public to bear with us while we carry out the work.

“Our community events are a great opportunity for people to find out more before the work starts,  especially those who visit the woodland on a regular basis.”

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Keith Wilkinson, chair of Bilton Conservation Group, described what happens to larch trees once they become infected with the disease.

“It’s not a mould or a fungus but it is between the two and it attacks the larch. The needles start dying. It takes a while to kill the tree, but once it’s got it, it’s doomed.”

The Woodland Trust is holding two drop-in sessions in Bilton where members of the public can find out more about the works and ask questions to staff.

These will be held tomorrow (Thursday) at Bilton Community Centre between 6pm and 9pm and on Nidderdale Greenway off Bilton Lane on Saturday between 10am and 4pm.

A public footpath in Burton Leonard is set to be closed after an application by North Yorkshire County Council.

The authority argues the path — which is adjacent to Burton Leonard Church of England Primary School — is not needed for public use.

The village is situated between Ripon and Harrogate.

The 118m stretch of path runs north-east from public footpath 15.18/12 at Dolly Walk to emerge next to the primary school’s western end, joining footpath 15.18/22.

If approved, the proposal would see public footpath 15.18/10 extinguished and the definitive map modified.

Comments about or objections to the proposed extinguishment order should be made by April 28 to Steve Metcalfe, North Yorkshire County Council, County Hall, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 8AD, stating the grounds for objection or support.

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A Starbeck resident has expressed concerns about the impact of a footpath closure on wheelchair users and people with pushchairs.

The opening of homeless hostel Fern House this year led to the loss of a much-used footpath next to the bowling club on Spa Lane.

People used to head down from Forest Avenue through Belmont Grove and over what was a car park towards Starbeck Baths.

But since the footpath closed, people coming from Forest Avenue must use Belmont Terrace to access the footpath on the other side of the bowling green and walk down a flight of stairs. Alternatively they have to walk the length of Forest Avenue to High Street and turn down Spa Lane.

Resident Stephen Hunt said the loss of the footpath had been more keenly felt since lockdown ended.

He said his main concern was accessibility problems caused by the steps and the extra length of the journey for wheelchair users and people with pushchairs, such as himself, who used the baths.

He said:

“It’s really limiting for someone with a wheelchair or a pushchair like me.

“We visited once a week before lockdown for swimming lessons and now it’s a much longer walk. It just makes the baths less viable or accessible.”

The loss of the footpath was a key concern among Starbeck people during the planning stages for Fern House in May 2018.

Harrogate Borough Council said at the time:

“While the paths do appear to be used, comments were also made during the community engagement process that anti-social behaviour activities were occurring as a result of people being able to easily access the land from Belmont Grove. The paths are not designated public rights of way.

“As a result of comments received during the community and stakeholder engagement process it has been decided to close the site along its northern boundary so as to dissuade anti-social behaviour.”

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Starbeck councillor Philip Broadbank told the Stray Ferret:

“The path was closed for security at Fern House. Nobody has mentioned it to me recently, but I know there were concerned residents at the time.

“I did raise it with the council at the time but it was overruled and accepted.”

Bilton Conservation Group has criticised horse riders for damaging a boardwalk in Nidd Gorge.

The group, whose responsibilities include repairing footpaths and boardwalks, has urged dog walkers to avoid the area until repairs are complete.

George Moore, membership secretary of the group, said a witness saw horses crossing the boardwalk on the cross path intersection of Milne’s Lane. He added:

“This was thoughtless damage caused by unknown horse riders in the Nidd Gorge.

“Bilton Conservation Group has a backlog of repairs to carry out in Nidd Gorge and this unwanted damage will cost us dearly in time, effort and cost.

“Whilst the boardwalk is still passable with due care it is not recommended for folk with dogs to use at this present time.”

The group, which was set up in 1982 to protect the rural environment of Bilton, hopes to complete the repairs next week.

They are predicted to cost £50 and require 20 hours of work.

In the meantime the group has asked walkers to be wary in the vicinity.

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Yorkshire Water it to close a footpath at Swinsty reservoir and introduce diversions over the next 18 months as part of £6m safety works.

The reservoir, in the Washburn Valley, is a popular location for families and dog walkers in the Harrogate district.

Work on the reservoir’s east bank spillway is due to start on Monday next week and be completed by summer 2022.

The project will divert excess water from the reservoir to Lindley Wood reservoir to protect the embankment from flood erosion.

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Yorkshire Water said in a statement:

“As the route is on uneven and sometimes wet ground, it is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs – walkers are advised to wear suitable footwear and keep dogs on leads.”

Mark Allsop, customer liaison advisor at Yorkshire Water, said:

“This ensures that the reservoir can continue to play its part in supplying drinking water to the homes of millions of customers in Yorkshire.

“The investment will reinforce the structure and protect the area in the face of extreme weather.”

The water company worked with local landowners and North Yorkshire County Council to map out the footpath diversion.