Rangers have completed the repair of one of the most well used public paths in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Stone pitching has been installed at Brackenbottom near Horton in Ribblesdale on the traditional Three Peaks route up Pen-y-ghent, with re-surfacing works also carried out.
A total of 80 tonnes of stone blocks for pitching, and 232 tonnes of aggregate for the surfacing, was brought from nearby Horton quarry earlier this year.
The four-week job was led by Three Peaks Ranger Thomas Andrews (pictured), whose role is to maintain the paths on the 24-mile circuit known as the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
The post depends entirely on public support through the Three Peaks Project, which last year raised nearly £30,000 from a combination of donations and sales of the Three Peaks app and merchandise.
Thomas Andrews said: “When I started here last year, I was amazed at the erosion of this section. It was all brown and scarred and the path had widened as people found ways around the mud. In summer months hundreds of people come up and down here every day.
“Pen-y-ghent is for many people their first experience of hill walking in the National Park, so we’re pleased to make this section of the path good again.”
Member Champion for Recreation Management at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Lizzie Bushby, said: “Maintaining the paths of the Yorkshire Three Peaks is one of our greatest challenges. Thankfully we have a Three Peaks Ranger who is not overawed, and we are really proud of the work that he and colleagues have done at Brackenbottom.
“The work was made possible only because of generous public support. I hope people will continue to back the Three Peaks Project, so we can look after this fragile environment. There are several ways to donate, including by becoming a Friend of the Three Peaks.
“I would also take this opportunity to remind people that we have a Three Peaks Code of Conduct which helps keep the area special for everyone. We have new Code of Conduct leaflets and posters. Local businesses are invited to help promote positive messages about walking the Three Peaks responsibly. Send a note to threepeaksproject@yorkshiredales.org.uk and we will deliver some leaflets.”
