MORE walkers, more campers and fewer binge drinkers.
That’s the new tourism plan for the Colne and Holme Valleys.
Kirklees Council will launch a new website to encourage more ramblers to come and enjoy the beautiful countryside around Huddersfield.
And officials aim to make it easier for camping and caravan sites to set up in the valleys.
But a councillor last night called for action to stop binge drinkers coming to Slaithwaite and Marsden.
Hundreds of people make their way through the Colne Valley villages each weekend as part of the Real Ale Trail.
But Clr Nicola Turner said some of the visitors were causing problems.
“When it started a few years ago, it was brilliant,” said the Colne Valley Lib Dem.
“People who really appreciate their real ale came and had a few pints and didn’t get out of control.
“Unfortunately we’ve now got an element who just want to get drunk and are causing a nuisance to local people.
“I’m afraid it’s got out of control, which is a real shame.
“More and more residents are saying it’s blighting their lives and it’s something that the council and the police will have to do something about.”
Last month the council’s Valleys Committee agreed a tourism strategy to help bring more people to the area.
The plan includes helping camping and caravan sites set up in the valleys by explaining to potential businesses how they can get planning permission in green belt areas.
“There are only two sites – one in Marsden and one in Holmfirth,” said Clr Turner.
“People are staying in Britain to holiday and this is one of the loveliest places in Britain.”
Kirklees will also launch a new website aimed at encouraging people to visit the Colne and Holme Valleys.
“The tourism part of the Kirklees website is not particularly good so we need to bring together all the information about walking and B&Bs in one place,” said Clr Turner.
And events to attract tourists to the Colne Valley gets underway on Wednesday when Manchester company Footloose Food Walks has organised its first Marsden Meander along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.
Participants will call in and sample produce from the Empire Brewery and Handmade Bakery in Slaithwaite and Edibles, based at Paddock Farm in West Slaithwaite.
Yvonne Hosker, co-director of Footloose Food Walks, said: “All our events are informal and friendly.
“We walk in small groups on gentle paths and lanes to meet and sample from the small local producers we’ve hand-picked.
“We’re very lucky in Yorkshire and Lancashire to have such a fabulous variety to choose from.
“Footloose Food Walks combines our love of walking and guiding walks with eating and drinking local made food.
“We think it is a great chance not only to walk and taste great food but also to meet the people that produce it.”
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