Campaigning

Path closure, Hardcastle crags. We ae concerned that the beautiful path up Rowshaw Clough (also known by some of us as Cherry Tree Clough) near Walshaw has been closed by the landowner (the Savile estate) since the Spring of 2008. This path is not shown on the definitive rights of way map, but has been used by many local people for many years and is also featured in two walking guidebooks.

We have been in correspondence with the Savile estate about the closure, and are pleased that they have told that they "hope in time to be able to reopen the path when funding is available". However, since the land agents are unable to give us any indication of when this might be, and since there is considerable evidence of this path having been used as a public path, we formally approached Calderdale in January 2009 asking for this path to be added to the definitive map, as a recognised right of way. This uses the powers open to us under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

We will keep you posted on developments.

Hebden Bridge: Footpath between Albion Terrace (Heptonstall Rd) and the Buttress. This short-cut is well-walked and is treated by local people as a public footpath. A claim for designation as a right of way, with evidence of usage, was submitted to Calderdale in 2001.

It's certainly time now for the claim to be properly assessed, and we are discussing with Calderdale how it can be moved forward. In the meantime, we advise walkers to treat this as if it were shown on maps as a right of way.

Balsam bashing.

Himalayan Balsam was introduced into Britain in the 1830s and is now widepread in our area. Because it is so invasive it has a significant negative impact ecologically on natural fauna. If you are walking in our area and pass balsam plants,why not take a moment or two to pull up the root. A number of organised balsam eradication sessions are organised regularly in our area: details from Calder Future.

Claiming paths as rights of way. If you know a footpath or track which is not shown as a right of way but which you believe should be designated as such, contact us. We will be able to advise you on how to make a claim to Calderdale MBC.

Public transport. The summer bus service 906 to Midgehole (lower Hardcastle Crags), Widdop Rd (nearest for Gibson Mill), Blake Dean (higher reaches of Hardcastle Crags) and Widdop reservoir has now started again. This operates on Saturdays and Sundays, and also on Bank Holiday Mondays. We welcome the campaign currently being led by Andrew Hall to make this a year-round service. Route 500 between Keighley/Haworth and Hebden Bridge (now hourly) is also a good bet for walkers.. For a moorland walk, try catching the 500 to the top of Cock Hill and then walking back via Crimsworth Dean. Also particularly useful for walkers is the rural bus service 900.