The Spen Valley Greenway, between Dewsbury to Bradford, is a vibrant path which is popular with schoolchildren, commuters and many local community groups. We've been working to improve accessibility for people in wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs.
Our Director in the North Rosslyn Colderley cut a ribbon to mark the opening of the new improved section. PHOTO: Chris Foster
Local people near the Spen Valley Greenway in West Yorkshire have been celebrating the reopening of an improved, more accessible section of this busy path at the heart of the community.
The route now has better access for people using wheelchairs and buggies, as well as those on foot or bicycle.
We worked with Bradford and Kirklees Councils to upgrade access and surfacing on a 2.5 mile section of the popular traffic-free path, between Victoria Park in Oakenshaw and Whitechapel Road in Cleckheaton.
Spen Valley Greenway is part of National Route 66, a former railway line that runs from Dewsbury to Oakenshaw, near Bradford. It’s well-used by people walking and cycling for leisure, as well as commuting to school and workplaces.
Upgrade work included improving access at Laithe Hall Avenue and Green Lane to help people with wheelchairs, pushchairs, and adapted bikes get onto the greenway more easily. The team has also laid a smooth tarmac surface, removed lumps caused by tree roots, and widened the path to three metres.
People using wheelchairs, mobility scooters and large pushchairs can now access Spen Valley Greenway. PHOTO: Chris Foster
Local people tried out the new smoother surface and wider path at a family event organised by our North team on 31 May, with free led walks, rides and a pedal-powered smoothie bike.
Sarah Bradbury, our senior project officer said:
“The Spen Valley Greenway is one of our most popular community routes, used by schoolchildren to get to school, people commuting to work and many local groups meet to walk, run, wheel or cycle along it.
“These improvements will help many more people use the route, particularly people with wheelchairs or buggies. The surface is smoother, wider and it’s easier to get on and off the path.
We received funding from the Department for Transport to carry out the improvements on Spen Valley Greenway, as part of its national Paths for Everyone programme to create a high-quality National Cycle Network that everyone is able to access.
David Shepherd, Strategic Director for Growth & Regeneration at Kirklees Council, said:
“As a council, it is our vision that Kirklees is recognised as a great place to walk and cycle. We want to inspire more people to choose walking, wheeling, or cycling more often as a mode of transport for work, leisure, or sport.
“These upgrades to the Spen Valley Greenway provide a safe and enjoyable route to help even more people make the shift to more sustainable and active forms of transport.”
Find out more about our Paths for Everyone programme and click on the map to find projects near you.
The Spen Valley Greenway is a popular route for local people walking, cycling and wheeling. PHOTO: Chris Foster.
