Mud and stones still on the Nidderdale Greenway
30th September 2015
As I reported three weeks ago, there is a problem with a section of the Nidderdale Greenway near Holme Bottom, where the tarmac surface has been covered with mud and stones.
The cause appears to be a large Jc Forestry tractor, which is using a relatively short stretch of the Greenway from Holme Bottom south to the Nidd viaduct. The wheels have churned up mud and stones from the side, and deposited them on the path.
A large number of trees have been cut down by the Nidd Viaduct, in a significant logging operation. As far as I am aware, the logging and the use of the Greenway are legitimate. I would also comment that from what I saw yesterday evening, the tractor driver is polite and considerate to other Greenway users, moving aside where appropriate, and giving cheerful waves.
Nevertheless, the surface of the path has been affected since around mid-July, and it's now the end of September. I know that some people have been put off using it, and are waiting for it to be restored to its usual quality.
The section of the Greenway originally affected, north of Holme Bottom, isn't in such a bad state as it was at first. Either the worst of the muck has been dislodged by bike wheels, or perhaps there has been some attempt to sweep it. However, it still has some mud and quite a bit of gravel on it, and isn't in an ideal condition.
I asked Sustrans three weeks ago if they had any information about when the path would be cleaned up, but I haven't had any reply.
Mud and stones on the Nidderdale Greenway: questions and suggestions
While there's no objection to legitimate forestry operations, they have been affecting the Nidderdale Greenway for a significant period of time now. I would like to know:
1) When will the logging work be finished?
2) Is the Greenway going to be properly swept at that point? (If the section north of Holme Bottom has been swept, it hasn't been done well). I would be happy to join a Sustrans working party to spend a couple of hours with a broom.
3) If the work is going to continue for some time to come, is it possible for the logging contractors, Jc Forestry, to clear the path from time to time - for example, to have it swept on a Friday afternoon, so that at least it's clear at the weekend, when the path is most used? This would be preferable to leaving it in a poor state for months on end.