Park on track to reveal railway past

About a half-mile of the old Meltham branch line – which runs through Beaumont Park in Huddersfield – has already been cleared of trees and layers of leaf mould, revealing the original track bed.

Now, it is being turned into a heritage trail with information boards.

The project by the Friends of Beaumont Park has been paid for with a grant of almost £50,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The sum is also paying for a project to research the branch line’s history, which will be carried out by pupils from local schools.

Teachers from the schools will be trained to take outdoor “forest schools” which aim to improve personal development and skills as well as knowledge and a love of nature.

Most of work – which included removing the sycamores and rhododendrons that have prospered since the line closed in 1965 – has now been done.

Site owners Kirklees Council organised volunteers from various departments to help improve the park and woodland.

Peter Turner, chairman of Friends of Beaumont Park, said: “We are delighted to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund for this project which involves all local schools, the Friends of Beaumont Park, Environmental Alliance and Kirklees Council in a project which will effectively be an extension of the area for the benefit all the local community and will encourage more people to visit this historic park.”

Fiona Spiers, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “People often associate Huddersfield with its renowned mill industry but the town has a wealth of parks and green spaces.

“We are thrilled to be able to support the dedicated Friends of Beaumont Park to research and record the history of the Meltham railway branch line and associated woodland, involve volunteers and schools in practical woodland management skills, and promote awareness of the natural heritage of the area.”