THE Friends of Ilkley Moor have paid £15,000 for a new boardwalk on Crawshaw Moss.

The path, which has been laid by Bradford Council Countryside Service, is 190 metres long and runs along the western boundary wall below Buck Stones adjacent to Rivock Edge plantation. It joins with the stone causeway which runs over Crawshaw Moss.

Owen Wells, chairman of The Friends of Ilkley Moor, said: “It has been a long term aim of the Friends to create a good, high level surfaced path the whole length of the Moor, from Burley Moor through to Addingham Moorside.

“Now, with the laying of the boardwalk another section of that path has been created.

“There are now only two unsurfaced sections, but as these are on well drained areas of the Moor. It is possible to walk, dry shod, from the Dick Hudson’s path on Burley Moor, through to Windgate Nick on Addingham Moorside, except in the most severe weather conditions.

“By creating this path, not only have we improved access for walkers and cyclists, but we have allowed sections of the Moor, that were previously a sea of mud, to regenerate right up to the edge of our path.”

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration Planning and Transport at Bradford Council, said: “We are happy to work closely with the Friends of Ilkley Moor on this and other projects and grateful too for their financial contribution.

“It demonstrates our continuing joint commitment to the management of the Moor.

“The new boardwalk will assist in protecting an important wetland habitat whilst catering for the wide range of people who enjoy Ilkley Moor.”

The Friends of Ilkley Moor is a voluntary and democratic group composed of people who love Ilkley Moor and want to see it conserved and improved for future generations.

The Friends welcome as members anyone who shares their aims and love for the iconic open space. For more information about the Friends visit www.ilkleymoor.org.

Ilkley Moor is the largest outdoor resource owned and managed by Bradford Council. Last year councillors voted to end grouse shooting on Ilkley Moor.