Ribblesdale

Based at Stonedykes Barn near Stainforth, Ribblesdale Area Ranger Steve Hastie - pictured left - manages the public rights of way network in the popular Three Peaks area of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.  He looks after the parishes of Thornton in Lonsdale, Ingleton, Horton in Ribblesdale, Austwick and Clapham cum Newby.

Steve also acts as the link to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority for visitors as well as local residents and community groups.

Nathan Allen is the Access Ranger for the Ribblesdale area of the National Park.

Much of his work is connected with the maintenance and enhancement of the public paths on the Three Peaks; Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent and Whernside. These paths are very busy with up to a quarter of a million users each year, making this the most popular area of the National Park for walking.

Nathan also helps look after the property owned by the Authority in the area, including Cleatop Park near Settle which is a woodland designated as a Local Nature Reserve and contains a variety of habitats within a small area. Here he is - see picture on the right - doing some tree maintenance work.

Projects

Moor Head Lane, Helwith Bridge
The weather last summer caused a few delays with our planned work in the area. A local contractor has however completed a project for us at Helwith Bridge, between Settle and Horton-in-Ribblesdale, where a walled lane had really deteriorated due to water damage and previous use by vehicles.  The project was helped by the donation of 200 tonnes of limestone aggregate by Tarmac to surface the track.  This came from a local quarry and only had to be transported a matter of yards – literally ‘a stone’s throw’!

Thwaite Lane, Clapham
A steep section of bridleway on the edge of Clapham village has been improved to give better grip to horses, walkers and cyclists.  The cobbled limestone track had become slippery with use, and did not provide much purchase to feet, hooves or tyres!  A strip of cobbles up the middle of the track has been removed and replaced with aggregate, which should be a much better surface for all users.

Advice

Please remember not to leave waste food in the countryside, or to feed animals, such as horses.  This may cause a potential health risk to farm stock, and also can lead to some animals becoming inquisitive, or even aggressive.  Remember to take all your litter away with you.

Dogs

Please remember the following:

• Dispose of dog waste responsibly.  Bags of waste left in the open are unsightly, a health hazard and dangerous to stock and wildlife.
• Worm your dog regularly to prevent the spread of parasites and infections to people and other animals, including ground nesting birds.
• Keep your dog under close control, preferably on a short lead at all times to avoid disturbance to wildlife or livestock.

Footpaths and bridleways

The Three Peaks
A short section of the popular Three Peaks route has been diverted to avoid going through a busy farmyard.  At Nether Lodge Farm, north of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, several public footpaths merge into one, which passed  through the farmyard.

This path carries both the Three Peaks challenge route and the Ribble Way.  As a result, the footpath was exceptionally well used and large numbers of people went through the yard throughout the year, particularly at weekends.

The owners of Nether Lodge applied for the public footpath to be diverted out of the farmyard to the north of the farm onto a route giving more open views across moorland and pasture to the northeast and producing a route that is easier to follow as well as safer and more pleasant.
The diversion order was made following widespread consultation with no objections and, as a result, a new, 14m wooden footbridge has been installed over Ling Gill Beck.

Contact details

Steve Hastie
Ribblesdale Area Ranger
Stonedykes Barn
Stainforth
Settle
BD24 9PN

01729 825242