Campaigning

Ginnelgate. We are offering support to the active local campaign which is fighting to reinstate the gateway from the old ginnel from Hebden Bridge to Old Town into St John's Close.

Path closure, Hardcastle crags. We have formerly claimed a right of way over the beautiful path up Rowshaw Clough (also known by some of us as Cherry Tree Clough) near Walshaw which has been closed by the landowner since the Spring of 2008. This uses the powers open to us under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

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. Unfortunately, Calderdale are notoriously slow at progressing claims such as ours.

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. Still no progress from the council.

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 stopped again for the winter. But remember that route 500 between Keighley/Haworth and Hebden Bridge (now hourly) is 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 900/901.