COUNCILLORS are campaigning to protect paths in Lindley.
Clr Christine Stanfield and Clr Tony Woodhead have been urged by residents of Farnlee in Lindley to ensure that private paths connecting Birkdale Avenue to Lindley village centre remain open to the public.
One section of the paths, which runs from Sandmoor, has been lost to private usage.
The paths are privately owned and are not designated as public rights of way - but they have become established routes for children going to school and residents heading to Lindley's main shopping area.
Clr Stanfield said: "It would be sad if there was any further diminution of our traditional walks in Lindley.
"With the current interest in exercise we must do all we can to protect these paths for future generations."
Kirklees Council officer Giles Cheetham, who deals with footpaths, met the two councillors and concerned residents at Farnlee on Monday night. He explained the different options for protecting public access.
Clr Woodhead said: "People have bought land with the paths on and if they wanted, they could close up the paths.
"Local people really are worried and are thinking of campaigning to turn them made into public rights of way to keep them open."
