THOUSANDS of walkers head for the summits of the Yorkshire Three Peaks every year - and the pounding of their boots takes an inevitable toll

But now, those heading for the top of Penyghent in the Yorkshire Dales National Park will have a little less surface water to wade through thanks to the generosity of national drainage and water management specialists JDP in Skipton.

Over the years, a deep gully has appeared along a wall on part of the Yorkshire Three Peaks route that runs up to the summit at Brackenbottom Pasture near Horton-in-Ribblesdale – used by thousands of walkers every year, many carrying out fundraising challenges.

The joint project between businesses in the area, park rangers and farmers, has resulted in better drainage and the reinstatement of the path along its original route – removing the need for walkers to stray off it, and widen the expanse of erosion.

Steve Hastie, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s (YDNPA) Three Peaks Area Ranger, said surface water was only a problem in heavy rain.

“The way the land lies means all the water gathers and flows down the wall side, eroding the path and pushing hikers into the field, which causes wider erosion.

“We were looking for a way to gather the water safely and manage its progress down the slope so no further damage occurred.

“JDP designed a solution and have very kindly donated all the materials – worth more than £3,500 – to help the authority complete the project.”

Pipes, connectors and a water collection pit produced by industry-leading manufacturers JFC and CPM were trucked in from JDP’s Skipton branch, with the work being undertaken by national park rangers.

And other local contractors were inspired to chip in with offers. A dumper truck and excavator were provided by Hellifield-based Marsden Agricultural and Environmental Services free of charge, and a local farmer gave his time to move the collection pit when it was delivered.

Laura Thomson, JDP customer experience manager for Northern England, said: “Projects within our local communities that promote healthy living, looking after the environment and preserving water are especially important to the company.

“By working with the Three Peaks Project and suppliers like JFC and CPM – who share our vision – we can make sure that our landscapes, towns and cities are enjoyed by people of all ages and preserved for future generations.”

The national park authority’s member champion for recreation management, Nick Cotton, said: “The Three Peaks Project was set up by the national park authority to allow members of the public and the commercial sector to support the conservation of this iconic area.

“In these times of reduced resources, this project was a great example of our corporate and business supporters working with us to achieve national ark purposes.

“We would love to hear from anyone who, like JDP, would like to get involved in and support our work.”

The Three Peaks Project was launched in 1987 following a study carried out the year before looking at the condition of the paths in the area.

The Institute for Terrestrial Ecology concluded paths in the region had the sad distinction of possessing the most severely eroded network in the country.

Set up by the national park, the Three Peaks Project had a staff of 13. Its remit included trialling new path-engineering and re-vegetating techniques to provide sustainable routes and to allow damaged surrounding land to recover. The mid-90s and early 2000s saw a number of externally-funded projects completed, each with one or two extra staff appointed.

However, since 2004, the management and maintenance of the Three Peaks network has reverted back to the YDNPA’s rangers – a team of just two officers covering the whole of the wider Ribblesdale area.

The latest project aims to create a sustainable source of both practical and financial support that will help protect and enhance the area and the rights of way network into the future. Since its launch, many of the charities that regularly use the Three Peaks for sponsored events have volunteered to donate money towards the upkeep of the area.

And the YDNPA has produced merchandise to celebrate walking one, two or all of the peaks and has launched the Friends of the Three Peaks, a group being set up to help support the authority’s work in the area.

Anyone walking any of the peaks and sharing their accomplishment on social media, will very likely have received a response from the team, offering them the chance to download a congratulatory certificate.

Anyone can join by making a suggested minimum annual donation of £10. The authority plans to have an events programme for members to take part in, with activities like area ranger-guided walks and chances to do practical things like path maintenance.

Members will also be kept up to date with developments in the project through a newsletter.

To find out more about becoming a Friend, go to the website yorkshiredales.org.uk/threepeaks and follow the pages to join online. Or, print off a form, complete and return it to Friends of the Three Peaks c/o Josie Simpson, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Colvend, Hebden Road, Grassington, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 5LB along with a cheque made payable to ‘Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’ and marked on the reverse ‘Friends of the Three Peaks’.

Alternatively, visit a National Park Centre and hand the completed form and membership fee in cash or cheque to an Information Advisor.