KEIGHLEY community group members are celebrating success in securing funds to improve a popular public route.

The team working through Keighley West Environmental Partnership (KWEP) has announced it now has money to enhance the Cat Steps, a footpath between North Dean Road, Braithwaite and Fell Lane — which is particularly used by Oakbank school students.

A total of £15,000 has been granted to the group, called Cat Steps: Taking A Step With The Armed Forces In Keighley.

The money has been provided by the community covenant grant scheme, which funds local projects that bring together civilian and armed forces communities.

Keighley West councillor, Jan Smithies, who has been part of a team putting together funding bids, said: “We’ve applied to three different funders and put in five bids in total, so I am absolutely delighted this bid has been successful.

“The awarding of the funds has come at a good time for the clearing and planting work, as we need to do that in winter whilst things are dormant.

“But, unfortunately, the work on the path itself needs reasonable weather, so we need residents and school users to bear with it for one more winter.”

Keighley West community development worker, Pip Gibson, will co-ordinate the community engagement elements of the project.

She said: “I’ll be contacting the different partners and individuals who’ve backed the project to update them and get them involved in the delivery.

“This will include clearing the overgrown shrubbery at the sides of the path and planting up to 400 new tree whips at various intervals and around the playground area.”

Darren Hinchliffe, a Bradford Council public rights of way officer, will take charge of the repairs to the steps as well as drainage matters.

Local resident and KWEP member, Barry Eccles, said: “We’ve gradually had to trim down our ambitions, but after so much hard work by team members, who have stuck at this for well over two years, we will finally be able to get started on tangible improvements.”

Anyone who wants to help or businesses that can offer building materials or tools, can contact Pip on 075872 10101.