RESIDENTS in Keighley West have been active clearing footpaths and communal areas in their neighbourhoods.

Community development worker Pip Gibson has led volunteers at grot spots in Ingrow, Bracken Bank and Oakworth.

The first target was an eyesore snicket running from the back of the Sue Belcher Centre, on Bracken Bank Avenue, to Elmwood Road.

Pip said: “A small team of dedicated local folk worked all morning to cut back the vegetation, dig out the pathway, chop and lop overhanging branches, and strim the grass.

“Staff at the Sue Belcher Centre provided tools and equipment and a hearty lunch to follow.”

Residents were joined by town and district councillors and about 20 Scouts at Hemsby Street, Ingrow, to help create a small grassed play area for children to play safely on over the summer holidays.

CL Herd Butchers and local people provided refreshments.

Ingrow Scout leader James Hudson said his young people enjoyed helping out in the local community, and a local resident said: “It’s now a safer environment for the children to run around in it.”

Pip added: "What a difference half a day makes! Many thanks to Ingrow Scouts for helping local residents create a safe play space for their young children to explore.”

Oakworth residents spent three days in July continuing work at the Cure Hill beauty spot following successful groundworks early this summer, which had included repair of the steps and rebuilding of dry stone walls.

Pip said: “The Cure Hill Mob were joined by town councillor Luke Maunsell and chopped, lopped and cleared small branches to create a little more light at the top entrance to the site. They also laid large branches to highlight a new pathway.

“The team are now looking towards laying wood chippings along that path. Money secured from Tesco Bags of Help has paid for the repair of the staircase running from the top to bottom of the site, enabling easier, safer access.

“Seating has been created from existing stumps and a donation of wooden beams from Cure Hill Farm. More of the boundary of dry stone wall has been repaired too.”

Volunteers were due to meet yesterday (August 2) for the last clean-up of the summer, creating easier access to a snicket running from Valley View Close to Harewood Crescent.

The plan was for local people to work alongside Bradford Council’s Rights of Way officer Darren Hinchliffe, and Wildgoose Construction, who are developing the nearby site of the former Brontë School.