WORK on a new footpath in the Holme Valley will stop bikers from ruining it.
That’s the thinking behind a scheme to create Honley Wood’s new circular footpath.
Volunteers carrying out the regeneration work believe it will help to deter motorcyclists who have damaged the natural environment.
The development is expected to attract walkers, cyclists and horse riders and it is hoped they will flush out motorbike racers who use the wood illegally.
The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers is looking to complete a section of the wood this February half-term, and work began this week with volunteers from the community.
Most of the work is now finished, with just the gravel path surface to lay.
The trust is the UK’s largest conservation charity and is working on the path in partnership with Huddersfield organisation White Rose Forest, with the support of Johnsons Wellfield Quarries, the company which owns Honley Wood.
The trust’s Dan Barker said: “We want to create a nice natural walk. If people are there on a regular basis they can report those misusing the wood and we can have more suitable people using it.
“We’re trying to protect wildlife species, using hand tools which are less damaging to the environment.”
Work started just before Christmas, and is being largely funded by a £50,000 grant from the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, a scheme run by Government environmental body Natural England.
Kirklees Council has contributed around £25,000, and the Holme Valley North Area Committee £2,500.
Guy Thomson, of White Rose Forest, is overseeing the project.
He said: “Some of our funds will be spent on an archaeological survey. However, most of it will go towards improving public rights of way and access points.
“This is about improving public access to ancient woodland, but also increasing knowledge of the wood’s history and heritage.”
