Dales path wins grant for repairs

Members of the public and readers of Trail and Country Walking magazines were asked to select 10 winners from international nominations.

One of the winners of the cash was the Three Peaks bid to help the area’s fragile ecosystem by restoring a section of the footpath network near Pen y ghent.

The European Outdoor Conservation Association has donated £30,000 to the project.

On a section of the Three Peaks Challenge, between Pen y ghent and Ribblehead through High Birkwith, most walkers use a route over Horton Moor and Black Dubb Moss, but it has become badly eroded. It is planned that an alternative, though little used, route is developed.

Steve Hastie, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Ribblesdale ranger said: “It means we can put the missing link in to the circuit – so that walkers will be able to avoid the infamous Black Dubb Moss by using the new section – and we can put in place appropriate re-vegetation work to help the damaged land recover.”