Work starts on river path extension

For many years access along the riverside in Settle and Giggleswick was only possible along a narrow, uneven footpath.

The first leg, opened in 2009, ends at Kendalman’s Ford in Giggleswick.

Now the next phase will see a new section of cycle way extending the route. It will wind through pasture, past Giggleswick School’s cricket pitch, through Sandholme Crescent to Penny Bridge on Station Road.

It will create a vehicle-free all-ability route along the Ribble, connecting to Kendal Bridge and linking the two settlements with a route through to Settle market square.

Funding came from various sources, including North Yorkshire and Craven councils.

Local charity the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust helped deliver the project.

YDMT deputy director Dave Tayler said: “It has been a long and tough job securing the funding for this project in the current economic climate, but we are really pleased that it is finally going ahead bringing benefit to local people and visitors to the area.”