Upper Wensleydale
I am based at Hawes National Park Centre/Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes, and am the Upper Wensleydale Area Ranger.
My area includes includes Semer Water (Raydale), Bainbridge, Hawes, Widdale and Lunds.
One of my main responsibilities is to manage the rights of way network in the area and the large tracts of access land which have become accessible to walkers this year, through the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000, working closely with farmers and landowners.
Other work includes conservation projects with red squirrels and barn owls. In the image, left, I am out doing some woodland conservation work.
Rob Wilson has just become the new Access Ranger for Upper Wensleydale.
His work involves the maintenance of footpaths, bridleways and byways including their surfaces, infrastructure and river crossings. He also monitors the use of Open Access land by patrolling areas, speaking to walkers and assessing the level of use, and is involved in the red squirrel project.
Rob is supported by many volunteers who use their own time to assist with practical work, patrolling and surveying and squirrel monitoring.
Wether Fell Bridleway Improvements
We have recently carried out improvements to the bridleway from Burtersett onto Wether Fell. The works have involved installation of stone cut off drains, to help reduce surface water erosion, new side ditches and replacment of gates. The new works have improved the route for walkers and especially for horseriders and mountain bikers.
This is the surface water running down the bridleway during wet weather.
Numerous stone fords help pick up water from side ditches and channel it across the bridleway, to help reduce surface erosion.
New gates make it easier for walkers, mountain bikers, horseriders and for farmers managing the land.
Barrier reduction along the river Ure
We have recently carried out some access improvement works adjacent to the river Ure, below Hawes. This riverside public footpath had metal ladder stiles (reputedly erected in the 1960’s) which although of some historic importance, were not the easiest stiles to use, particularly for those with dogs or for elderly folk.
Before - the original ladder stiles
After - new hand gates
We worked closely with the landowners and, assisted by our Dales Volunteer team, we swapped the ladder stiles for hand gates. Much easier all round as you can see! The metal stiles have been given a new home by the local fishing association who will be reusing them on private local fisherman’s paths in the area.
The ‘Highway’
During 2008 we carried out some long needed surface repairs work to part of The ‘Highway’, a Byway Open to All Traffic.
This route was used by Lady Anne Clifford, during her travels back and forth from Skipton to the Eden Valley in the 19th Century. The section of the route at Cotter End had become damaged through use by recreational off road motorbikes and lack of drainage. A Traffic Regulation Order is now in place, preventing further use by motor vehicles.
Check out the green lane management page for info on green lanes in the National Park
Before works - some of the ruts were 2ft 6' deep
After - the same location as above, but with subsoil path constructed and surfaced with a mix of 40mm down and seeded to aid vegetation recovery.
The new path surface was constructed using the soil inversion technique in order to achieve the basic levels and form for the surface and drainage requirements. Additional aggregate was added to create a good path surface. Pedestrians, horse riders and pedal cyclists who struggled previously to use the route safely, can now enjoy a pleasant route.
Low Wheel Bridge
The new access ranger, Rob, has been busy replacing a footbridge. The replacement bridge has gone in on the popular footpath between Bainbridge and Semer Water. He was helped by our excellent team of Dales Volunteers.
Restoration of Weighbridge Hut, Hawes station Yard
The Wensleydale Railway Line built by the North Eastern Railway Company (NER) met up with a branch line to the Midland Railway’s Settle-Carlisle Line at Hawes so the station there was built as a joint project. The station, after some delays, was completed in 1878. It was designed in the Midland Railway’s ornate ‘Derby Gothic’ style with decorated wooden barge boards, pitched local sandstone walls with dressed stone quoins, lintels and window surrounds and Welsh slate roofs. On the opposite side to the main station building was a small rectangular platform shelter. The station master’s house was set some distance away to the south west of the main platform building and there is a weigh bridge building nearby. The station buildings and goods shed were extended in 1998 by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and now house Hawes National Park Centre and Dales Countryside Museum.
The weighbridge hut had missed out on previous conservation work until now. National Park staff and our loyal team of volunteers have begun a process of restoration - you can see the state of the hut and some of the work to date. The original weighbridge mecahnism is still in situ. We are replacing rotten timbers, but conserving as much of the original fabric as possible to retain its integrity.
Midland style weighbridge hut. Located at the joint station of Hawes (Midland and North Eastern Railway)
Jack and blocks - getting the level correct
The floor timbers - note the weighbridge mechanism on the right hand side
The work is onging and I'll update this page as we progress
And finally...
Before you head for the fells, check out the new specific Yorkshire Dales Mountain Forecast service from the Met Office.
Contact details
Matt Neale
Upper Wensleydale Area Ranger
Dales Countryside Museum
Station Yard
Hawes
North Yorkshire
DL8 3NT
01969 666220
