Why we walk on the right on country roads – Yorkshire Post Letters

BEING fortunate in living in the country, it is noticeable just how many more folk are taking to walking on the many attractive lanes around Settle.

May I make a plea in respect of many of them? When walking on these lanes where there is no footpath, you should always walk on the right, facing the oncoming traffic, just to stay safe as far as possible.

I learnt this 70 years back when preparing to go on a school walking holiday in Austria. Dad persuaded a neighbour, an avid walker, to take me in hand to get fit.

Walking facing the oncoming traffic – much less in those days – was the first thing he taught me. We were living in Leeds at the time and used public transport to get to far away places such as Otley, Ilkley or even Skipton, the latter by train from the long-closed Kirkstall station.

I walked with my mentor for several years. There were no walking boots in those days, my dad’s old police boots shod with triple hobs and clinkers sufficed, good on rough tracks but hopeless on cobbles.

Many Saturdays we walked 20 miles or more, often having to run to catch the last bus. I knew him only as old Daniels which, of course, he was, being already in his 30s! Happy days. I am still walking 70 years on.

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James Mitchinson

Editor