Cumbria

Cumbria Area Ranger Paul Wilkinson - pictured left - manages the area which consists of Sedbergh, Dentdale and Garsdale parishes. The main requirement of Paul's work is management of the public rights of way network and Open Access land. This involves dealing with all aspects of use, from obstructions to condition of surfaces and infrastructure. He works closely with landowners and managers to achieve access which is open and easy to use.  Accessibility projects, considering the needs of people with a broad spectrum of abilities, are developed where possible. This, and implementing general improvements to the public right of way network, are key aims of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Paul also works with the local community where needed in order to offer expertise and guidance, examples a long term commitment to working with local schools and most recently in the development of a parish plan for Dentdale.

The parishes of Garsdale, Dentdale and Sedbergh are located in the South Lakeland District of Cumbria within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The town of Sedbergh is the largest town in terms of population size (approximately 3,000 people) located within the boundary of the 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, Paul and Graham have been involved with the monitoring and management of Open Access land in the area, including building new stiles and gates to improve access.  Graham is pictured (left) 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. The Authority's Dales Volunteers service is a trained body of people currently at approximately 250 strong. In 2008/9 season they contributed in excess of 6,000 person days to the work of the Authority accross all departments. Their work is invaluable in achieving the Authorty's aims.

Major project work 2009/10

Repairs to Bridleway No. 516029, Dent Parish.
Repairs to this bridleway, where it passes westwards from Foul Moss as far as Nun House Outrake Bridleway, have continued this year. This has involved the repair to side ditches, cross drains and leveling of ruts. The track was very damaged with ruts and much standing water. The water has in the main been allowed to seep away to the side verge and ditches. Several stone pitched fords and stone box culverts have been created where water flows strongly accross the bridleway.  These structures are robust enough to trake the extreme water flows that can occur at the location and prevent overflow onto and along the route.  

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 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 pressure of agricultural vehicles, the repairs will remain effective and long lasting.

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 was repaired during 2008 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.

The previous two pictures show before and after the works were carried out. The following picture shows the repair healing well and standing up to use.

Other large scale projects completed during 2009/10 include:

• revetment walls at Chapel Beck Howgill Lane
• revetment walls, gates and handrails Beck House Howgill Lane.

Large scale projects underway:

• barrier reduction scheme on a network of paths east of Dent village along the River Dee, Depdale Beck and Keld Beck. This will in the main replace stiles with gates for ease of walking on a popular network of paths used frequently by locals and visitors
• riverbank repairs on the banks of the River Rawthey below Settlebeck High School at Sedbergh to protect eroding of the footpath by the river on a very popular walking route.

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 Branthwaites Lodge, Sedbergh
• replacement footbridge at Church Bridge, Dent

Access

Improving access for all
Working with the Authority Access Officer, Rachel Briggs, Paul is in the process of surveying certain routes with access to the countryside for Tramper style wheelchair users. These battery operated wheelchairs are an excellent way of getting out into the countryside on footpaths, bridleways and Open Access land. The routes promoted by the Authority will be deemed suitable for use by people based upon nationally recognised access for all standards.

Access for All in Yorkshire Dales National Park - Cumbria, Garsdale and Sedbergh
Paul has previously 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 or Sebergh Tourist Information Centre and Community Office.if you would like to receive a copy. Please note:  the leaflet is almost out of stock, but Paul and Rachel are working on an update and it is hoped to have copies of the new booklet available by March.

Other news

Working with local schools
The Ranger service has worked with pupils at Settlebeck High School over several years to create better access, garden areas and hedges within the school grounds, as well as give the students opportunities to get involved with conservation projects further afield within the National Park. Currently, rangers, pupils and staff are working together with the purpose of creating a small wildlife area within the school grounds. Initially a boundary fence and hedge will be created during winter 2009 and this will be followed by various works concerned with the natural environment, recycling and climate change, which will be linked back to the school curriculum.

Please see detail contained within recent press release regarding the work of the school at Settlebeck.

Helping hand from the National Park

Grassington, 16 October, 2009.

Pupils at Settlebeck High School in Sedbergh have been working hard to learn more about conservation – with a little help from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA).

They now have their own outdoor learning area in the grounds after Becky Barnes, a student now in Year 10, received a grant for a project that she completed on climate change, and chose to spend the money on developing a wildlife conservation area to increase conservation and to educate other students.

A group of mixed students from Year 7 to Year 10 has been working hard in the last year to create it with the experienced guidance of YDNPA Area Ranger Paul Wilkinson.

The pupils have put in lots of effort laying a hard core path suitable for a wheelchair to reach the conservation area, as well as building a fence out of recycled posts to border the conservation area.

Some boughs of copper Beech tree that had to be cut down for health and safety reason are being used to make benches, and the group has planted over 100 shrubs to grow into a hedgerow.

And flowering plants will be chosen to suit endangered species, particularly bees.

The group would eventually like to see the garden also being used by Sedbergh Junior School students and the local community.

In preparation for the work to be done in school, the group spent one day helping Paul plant hedges at the local allotments, and another with him exploring Winder, Arant Haw and a conservation area on the route to the fells.

The school’s Head of Science, Ruth Nelson, said: “These outings enabled them to identify the indigenous flora and fauna and – as they designed their own area and chose appropriate plants – to see how well conservation areas can work.”

Student Bradley Reid, who has spent time on work placement with the National Park Authority, Ranger Service, has also been helping Paul and his team to assess disabled access in the area, and a number of Year 10 boys have also learnt more about dry stone walling and been involved in local projects.

The group is also working towards the Discovery award from the national John Muir Trust, which encourages the discovery and conservation of wild places, in a spirit of fun, adventure and exploration.

“Their enthusiasm and drive have been fantastic,” Ruth said.

“There is still a lot of work to do, but the conservation area is developing at a great rate and their hard work should soon be rewarded as the planting and growing continues.

“Settlebeck High School has been building links with the YDNPA in many ways and the partnership has grown significantly this last year.”

Paul said: “It’s always a pleasure – and a lot of fun – to help school children develop a greater understanding of the natural world around them, especially when it links into the school curriculum.

“The creation of a conservation area like this helps them to understand and do something to help tackle the issues of climate change, conservation, threats to species and habitat and recycling.”

//ends//

Paul is also working with Dent Community Primary School to develop a guided walk and conservation project for the current academic year.

Working with the local community
Paul continues to contribute to the Dent Parish Plan initiative.  He has acted 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 outcome has been the production of a working document called 'Dentdale Parish Plan – A Plan For Dentdale – Survey Report and Community Action Plan', now available to all within the local community and those with an interest in working with the future of the dale in mind.  This document is to be used by the community in the development of the local economy and local work and life.

Contact details

Paul Wilkinson
Cumbria Area Ranger
Sedbergh Community Office
72 Main Street
Sedbergh
Cumbria
LA10 5AD

015396 22081