RMBC work in Ashworth Valley 

Thanks go to the Rights of Way team at Rochdale Council for the work they have done in Ashworth Valley to repair the eroding that has occurred on the Bridlepath along Woodtop in Norden. They have reinstated some of the path with stones and provided a barrier to try and prevent the path from slipping down towards the Horse steps at Paperhouse Bridge. 

The erosion had occurred not just to water running down from Paperhouse Farm but also the valley in this area has also been subject to motor bikes and e-bikes using the paths illegally and causing erosion by their tyres. In order to try and make access to the valley more difficult for these illegal users, the Rights of Way team has increased the number of sleepers in the tiger trap at Black Pitts Road making it more difficult for bikes to pass over due to the central sleeper catching the bikes as they pass over. They have also placed a kissing gate at the pedestrian path at the bottom of Black Pitts Road stopping the bikes from using this cut through. Hopefully these measures will deter the illegal users from straying into the valley and causing more damage to the path network.

Finally, whilst RBMC was doing all this work, they have also reinstated the approach to the Horse Steps which had been eroding away exposing the drainage pipe and presenting a steep step down which some of our smaller ponies have been finding difficult to negotiate. NBHBA would like to send their thanks to the Rights of Way Team for all the work they have done to help keep this important route safe.