Dog owners (pictured above) who visit Hell Wath nature reserve in Ripon on a regular basis, fear a potential future clash with cyclists.
The area, with its wooded and riverside walks and wildlife, is popular with people who take their dogs there for daily exercise.
Currently, signage at an entry near the football pitches (pictured below) states ‘no pushbikes’ but there are concerns that this could change, if a cycle route was created on the site, following an approach from the community.
Dog owners Janet Anderson and Brian Don, who attended a Friends of Hell Wath committee meeting earlier this month, made their feelings known.
Ms Anderson, told the Stray Ferret:
“Dogs and cyclists just don’t mix in a setting like this and we are very worried that we will not be able to let our dogs off the lead, to get the exercise they need, for fear of them being involved in an accident with a bicycle.”
Mr Don, added:
“We have absolutely no issue with paths being made more accessible to people in wheelchairs, but a cycle route is a completely different proposition.”
Discussions about a possible route for cyclists were initiated following a community event held at the nature reserve in September by the Skell Valley Project, headed by the National Trust and Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Working with volunteers, the project aims to bring about environmental and other improvements to a 12-mile stretch of the river valley – part of which runs through Hell Wath.
The minutes of the Friends of Hell Wath meeting of 1 November meeting, state:
“The committee confirmed that it had been approached about a cycle route and that it also had reservations.
“It also noted that Hell Wath is secured for community use and the committee is not the arbiter for who can use it and should therefore explore whether safe access for cycling could be facilitated.”
Committee chair, Councillor Stuart Martin, who was not present at the 1 November meeting, pointed out:
“Friends of Hell Wath are consultees and should there be any plan for a cycle route, or improved access for people with limited mobility, we will be consulted alongside all statutory bodies and the public.”
Mr Don welcomed the opportunity for wider consultation and said:
“Hundreds of local people take their dogs to Hell Wath each week and some of them have been going there for up to 50 years. It is important for our voices to be heard
“We just ask that any consultation that takes place is publicised in a way that can be accessed by everybody – particularly older people who are not familiar with the use of social media.”
A tidy-up is underway at a central Ripon location where a sinkhole prevented new homes from being built.
The Stray Ferret understands the area in Allhallowgate will remain as green open space for the public to enjoy. Further details are expected shortly.
Grey hoardings around the site were taken down yesterday as part of the proposed makeover.
Harrogate Borough Council was set to build 17 homes to replace a block of flats in poor condition on Allhallowgate.
However, serious ground stability issues came to light during demolition of the existing properties and the project was scrapped in 2019.
The proposed scheme was backed with funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government but the sinkhole made the development economically unviable.
The site, pictured in February before the tidy-up began
The area remained dormant. Hoardings were erected and an entry gateway was chained and locked.
In February, Ripon councillor Mike Chambers, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing and safer communities, told the Stray Ferret:
“The area is going to be tidied up, levelled, re-seeded and greened to improve its appearance.
“It has become overgrown and the hoardings are a bit the worse for wear.”
With the removal of the hoardings, the extent of the tidy-up operation has become evident.
Bushes and overgrown foliage have been cut back and grass is starting to grow.
Removal of the hoardings started yesterday
Residents of the demolished block were all permanently re-housed by Harrogate Borough Council and funding has been allocated for extensive refurbishment and improvement of the remaining Allhallowgate block, which is due to start shortly.
Ripon’s gypsum issue
Ground instability problems caused by the soluble nature of gypsum have been seen in many parts of Ripon.
The Stray Ferret reported in October about the evacuation of a residential block at Bedern Court, caused by subsidence in the area.
In February 2018, a sinkhole opened up on the car park of Ripon Leisure Centre, off Dallamires Lane. A further void discovered near the leisure centre entrance a year ago is under investigation.
In 2016, a dozen homes in Magdalen’s Road were evacuated after a 66-foot wide sinkhole opened up.
Read more: