Swaledale

Area Ranger James Lamb - pictured right - is based at Hudson House community office in Reeth.

His area of responsibilty is the Swaledale and Arkengarthdale areas of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

James works closely with local organisations throughout the northern Dales of the National Park on a range of rights of way and access projects.

Ian Broadwith is the Access Ranger for Swaledale and Arkengarthdale.

His main duties are to monitor condition of, plan and carry out practical works to public rights of way in the area. He works closely with volunteers and other rangers. Here he is - see photo left - carrying out repairs on a bridleway.

Access

Open Access
Swaledale and Arkengarthdale have some of the largest areas of open access within the National Park, with just over 75% of the two dales available for the public to explore and enjoy.

Please remember, however, that much of this area is grouse moorland, and nationally important for ground nesting birds such as Curlew, Lapwing and Oystercatcher. For this reason, many of the access areas are covered by a restriction which means that dogs are not allowed except on public rights of way. If you have a dog, please help to protect these birds by only using public rights of way and areas of access land not covered by a dog restriction. Further information and advice is available on the Open Access section of our website.

Projects

Healaugh stepping stones, October 2007
Work has recently been carried out to replace the stepping stones across the River Swale at Healaugh.  Originally installed by the National Park Authority in 1999, the stones had become impassable following flood damage which washed several of them away.  The stones provide a valuable link between public rights of way on either side of the river and create a circular walk from Reeth, popular with many visitors to the area.

The old stepping stones have been removed and new larger stones have been installed, making the crossing much easier and safer to use.  Each stone weighs in excess of one tonne, so we’re hopeful that they won’t be washed away again!

The River Swale is reputedly the fastest flowing river in England and for safety the stepping stones are designed to be under water following heavy rain.  

Footpath Protection works at Low Row, October 2007

Trying to prevent erosion of river side footpaths is an ongoing battle for the National Park Authority in Swaledale.  A combination of winter floods and damage caused by rabbit burrows led to the collapse of a section of riverside footpath at Low Row.

To prevent further erosion of the footpath, contractors working on behalf of the National Park Authority have widened the footpath and installed stone blocks along the ‘toe’ of the bank in order to protect it.

Once work has been completed, new trees will be planted to help stabilise the bank and prevent further erosion.

Contact details

James Lamb
Swaledale Area Ranger
Hudson House
Reeth
Richmond
North Yorkshire
DL11 6TB

01748 884060