Railing row over town landmark

Plans to install a new railing on the parapet wall of the Black Pit Aqueduct over the River Calder have been submitted by the council's engineering services department to provide protection for cyclists from the six metre drop to the river beneath. The council also plans to resurface the towpath with a hard-wearing material suitable for use by pedestrians and cyclists to enable it to be incorporated into the Pennine Cycleway.

But Diana Monahan, a member of Hebden Bridge Local History Society, says the railing, which would be up to 50cm above the parapet, would diminish the beauty of the aqueduct and also make it difficult for boarders to use the canal safely.

She said; ''Whilst I support the resurfacing of the towpath in sympathetic materials I am very concerned about the proposed associated works which involve installing a galvanised mild steel rail onto the listed Black Pit Aqueduct.''

No one from Calderdale Council was available for comment.