THE FIRST phase of Oakworth’s ambitious footpath improvement programme is complete.

Volunteers with the A Lot Less Muddy Underfoot campaign this month carried out a makeover at Waterwheel Lane.

The campaign, which involves residents and council workers, was set up to bring public rights-of-way back into a more easily-accessible state of use.

Bradford Council’s Highways department donated five tonnes of tarmac planings, while the council’s Rights of Way department prepared the path and cleared the steps.

Pip Gibson, the Keighley Town Council community development worker spearheading the project, said 17 volunteers and one cute dog were involved in the day’s efforts.

Residents were joined by Keighley town councillors Luke Maunsell and Martin Walker, while Cllr Peter Corkindale funded strong buckets for transporting the planings up the steps.

Pip said: “Phew, it was hard going! We couldn’t use wheelbarrows as the footpath has a flight of stairs to contend with at the start.

“But luckily for us we had homemade lemon drizzle cake, muffins and lashings of tea to help keep us going courtesy of the Barr family.

“Thank you also to the landowners, the Smith family, who supported the footpath improvements by cutting back vegetation and repairing fencing.”

Pip paid tribute to the strong support from Bradford Council and Keighley Town Council for the ongoing project.

She added: “Most importantly, many thanks go to the approximate 80 volunteers who have mucked in. Without them the footpath improvements could never have taken place.”

Pip plans to support local people in improving their local green spaces are in areas such as Racemoor Lane, the Oakworth sign by Sykes Lane, land off Harehills Lane by the Grouse, and the memorial site on Turnshaw Lane.

Email Pipgibsoncdw@Hotmail.co.uk or call 07587 210101 to get involved.