Keighley Ramblers are ready for a fight to stop spending cuts affecting local rights of way.

They have threatened to sue Bradford Council to ensure footpaths are properly maintained across the area.

And they have urged all local walkers to defend public footpaths by writing to the council.

During a recent meeting, Keighley Ramblers expressed serious concern about the impact of Government cuts.

Spokesman Alex Gardner said painful decisions would be made by the council which would affect all aspects of local life.

But he said: “The Ramblers believe that a reduction of the already under-funded rights of way budget could mean the loss of many footpaths to the large local walking community.

“The Ramblers would not be prepared to let local footpaths fall into disrepair and disuse without a fight.

“Under these circumstances and as a last resort they would have no alternative but to use the law to ensure the council carries out its statutory duties as a highway authority.”

Mr Gardner said there was already an enormous backlog of maintenance work across the district.

He said the Ramblers had been the main campaigner for improving walkers’ rights over the years and had helped establish one of the best public rights of way networks in the world.

Mr Gardner said: “Walking is the most popular and accessible form of exercise in the country. It’s free and requires no special equipment or gym club membership.

“It has been scientifically proven that regular walking improves health, reduces anxiety, improves self-image and sociability and helps toward a far healthier lifestyle in general.”

Keighley Ramblers have urged all local walkers to join their campaign by writing to Cllr the Rev Paul Flowers, at Bradford Council, urging him to protect the rights of way budget from further cuts.

They invite people to join their five-mile walk around Otley Chevin this Sunday, at 10.30am. Details are available from Michael on 0113 2664846.