Campaign to turn disused rail line into trail path

Campaigners showed the land to MP Kim Leadbeater and Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin

Campaigners have called for a delayed ringway project to begin after a nearby walking and cycling path was closed for upgrades.

The Heckmondwike Ringway scheme would see a disused railway track turned into a pathway for cycling and walking.

A section of a similar nearby scheme, the Spen Valley Greenway, is currently closed to the public while upgrade work is under way, forcing walkers and cyclists to use a busy road.

Resident and campaigner Victoria Harrington said she was frustrated to see money being spent on the greenway while plans for the ringway has not even begun.

She said: "Recently more than £1m was allocated to improvements to the greenway in Cleckheaton, involving a ramp, some road signs, and some lighting. None of which would be top priority for spending."

The railway track in Heckmondwike is owned by a private company, but councillor Martyn Bolt said he would like to see the land compulsorily purchased by Kirklees Council.

He said: "Four years ago £1.5m was earmarked, which could have been used to create the walking route and nothing has happened on it."

"If there's money to spend to put streetlights on the Spen Valley Greenway then there's money that could have been spent for the ringway," he added.

Councillor Moses Crook, deputy leader of Kirklees Council and cabinet member for housing and transport, said the ringway had not gone ahead because of "increasing costs" and "third-party land ownership".

He said: "This section of the Spen Ringway was one option considered as part of the A638 improvement project, funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority's Transforming Cities Fund.

"It remains a project that would provide clear advantages to the community should the land become available in the future."

Residents are concerned the owner has plans to fill the land with rubble from demolished buildings

According to Ms Harrington, Spen Valley MP Kim Leadbeater and Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin support the scheme.

She said: "The local residents very much want to preserve the wonderful area for the ringway. The railway appreciation societies want to preserve the railway and the wonderful bridges as a continuous route."

Colin Berry from Spen Valley Civic Society said the group backed the project.

He said: "It ticks all the boxes in respect of providing safe and active off-road travel, so avoiding the very busy and congested A638 through the valley.

A spokesperson from West Yorkshire Combine Authority said: "We are investing £15m to improve journeys between Dewsbury and Cleckheaton and make it safer and easier for people to get around."

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