A POPULAR beauty spot has a new vista.

A viewing platform has been built above Folly Dolly Falls in Meltham using a grant from Kirklees Council’s Environment Grant scheme.

And steps have been laid into the steep and slippery bank so that visitors can more easily access the base of the waterfall.

The cascades are located just to the north of Meltham Greenway, 250 metres from the Meltham to Huddersfield Road.

The improvement project was coordinated by Environmental Alliance as part of the wider Greenstreams Project, which is improving the rivers and streams around the Huddersfield area.

Beth Allcock, from Environmental Alliance, said: “The work to create a viewing point at Folly Dolly Falls has been something which locals and others have wished to see for a long time.

“When the land where the falls are located came under different ownership a permissive agreement to allow public access was made with the new owner and the owner of the Greenway. There is much to see along our rivers with lots of wildlife and many attractive views.

“The trouble is it’s not always easy to find your way there although with the support of landowners things are now much better than they were a few years ago.”

As well as a local beauty spot the falls are also a locally important geological feature.

The waterfall formed in sandstone and shale – is made up of rocks aged around 310 million years old and gives an excellent view of a fault.

The West Yorkshire Geology Trust and the Friends of Meltham Greenway are soon to erect an information board on the Greenway explaining the geology of the waterfalls.

Dransfield Properties Ltd carried out the construction work.