Cumbria
Cumbria Area Ranger Paul Wilkinson - pictured left - has been working on countryside accessibility projects and implementing improvements to the public right of way network around Sedbergh, Dentdale and Garsdale.
These parishes are located in the South Lakeland District of Cumbria within the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Graham Pye is the Access Ranger for the area and his main role is the management of the rights of way network. This involves the practical maintenance of both the surface and the infrastructure on behalf of the landowners.
Since May 2005, Graham has been involved with the monitoring and management of Open Access land in the area, including building new stiles and gates to improve access. He's pictured right installing a new kissing gate on a footpath.
Graham is regularly assisted in his work by Dales Volunteers who carry out a wide range of tasks including practical work, path and bridge surveying and Open Access land monitoring.
Major project work 2008/09
Repairs to Bridleway No. 516029, Dent Parish.
Repairs to this bridleway, where it crosses Foul Moss, have continued this year with the excavation of an accumulation of soil and vegetation which had covered the old track surface.
This bridleway is known locally as 'Occupation Road'. This vernacular terminology is used elsewhere around the country where a route had specific uses for people accessing land. In this case those 'occupations', that we are aware of, were quarrying stone, cutting peat for fuel, and accessing grazing land. The original surface of the track consisted of relatively large random stones laid directly onto the ground so the grassy vegetation could grow up between and over them. Over recent years the surface and drainage have both been severely damaged by motorised vehicles, both recreational and occupational. With new legal powers contained within the Natural Environment & Countryside Act, all recreational motorised vehicular use is now prevented along this route. Landowners and managers who use this route for accessing their land have been consulted about the project and have agreed to keep their use of large agricultural vehicles to a minimum. It is hoped that by removing recreational motor vehicle use and reducing the reducing the pressure of agricultural vehicles, the repairs will remain effective and long lasting.
This year's works have involved revealing the old surface of the track, creating ditches along the side for drainage, and constructing four stone-pitched fords in order to shed water to the lower side of the bridleway.
Good drainage is the key to successful management of this route, as it was constructed to follow the contours of the fell and it crosses many natural water courses. Proposals for the coming years are to continue with drainage works by constructing fords, culverts and additional side ditches. The original surface of the lane will be repaired wherever possible, and it is hoped that with reduced vehicular pressure, the lane surface will start to recover naturally and return to a grassy sward.
Repairs to Bridleway No.516045, Dent Parish (The Craven Way).
This damaged route is being repaired to make a better surface for walkers, horse riders and cyclists.
The newly worked section is located on a steep rise and the drainage has been improved by creating ditches and stone pitched fords. The surface consists of aggregate mixed with soil and seed which will, along with the robust drainage system, allow grass to root into the surface. This should lead to a sustainable and visually appealing right of way that will last for many years.
Other large scale projects to be done during this financial year include:
- Deepdale Beck near to its confluence with the River Dee.
Stone retaining walls will be constructed in order to make the river bank walls safe next to a popular local footpath which is also the route of the Dales Way long distance trail - Repairs to 400 metres of Bridleway No. 516029 to the west of Flintergill
- Improvements to stiles and gates on paths to the east of Sedbergh.
Footpaths and bridleways
The work of the Ranger Service continues in relation to its responsibilities to the public rights of way network. Dales Volunteers are assisting Rangers with ongoing surveys to monitor the condition of the network and they also continue with practical construction and repair works. Some of the more sizeable tasks to be done this year include:
- New footbridge at Swarth Gill, Garsdale
- Replacement footbridge at Church Bridge, Dent
- Repairs to footbridge at Thorns Lane, Sedbergh.
Access
Access for All in Yorkshire Dales National Park - Cumbria, Garsdale and Sedbergh
Paul has overseen the production of a leaflet detailing access opportunities in the Cumbrian area of the National Park for those who are less mobile, wheelchair users or who have young children. Contact Hawes National Park Centre if you would like to receive a copy.
Other news
Working with the local community
Over the past year Paul has worked on a variety of projects with the local communities in the parishes of Garsdale, Dent and Sedbergh.
Rangers and Dales Volunteers continue to work regularly with pupils and staff at Settlebeck High School , assisting them to achieve their goals. In 2007, Rangers successfully guided pupils from the Learning Resource Centre at the school to gain the John Muir Award. To achieve this award the group identified a local conservation project and worked on it through the year. They made a big difference to the area and learned a lot as they carried out various tasks for the award.
Paul has been asked to attend and contribute to the Dent Parish Plan initiative. He will act as the main contact when the community requests advice or information from the National Park Authority. The steering group for the Dent Parish Plan consists of a dedicated group of individuals from across the community. The intended outcome of this process will be a working plan for the development of the economy and community of Dentdale.
Contact details
Paul Wilkinson
Cumbria Area Ranger
Sedbergh Community Office
72 Main Street
Sedbergh
Cumbria
LA10 5AD
015396 22081
