Conservation group saves footpath

The Ragged Robin Conservation Group, a collection of volunteers who have been operating for more than a decade across Swaledale and Wensleydale, have teamed up with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) to build a 40m long wall protecting the footpath at Healaugh.

The work involved using 30 tonnes of stone to shore up the path and erecting a wire-link fence to hold the wall in place.

Ian Broadwith, YDNPA area ranger for Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, said: “We were in imminent danger of losing the footpath to erosion by the river.

“This is a very popular walk along the banks of the River Swale and is used by many people who are doing the Coast to Coast.

“Paths in this part of the dale provide excellent walks along both banks of the river. To lose them to erosion would have a huge impact on people’s enjoyment of the area.”

Ragged Robin won the Countryside Award in the 2010 Yorkshire Post Environment Awards.