Ilkley, setting for the opening events of the festival

A leading walkers’ campaigner today attacked plans to cut spending on footpaths.

Speaking at the opening of the South Pennines Walk and Ride Festival, Kate Ashbrook said local authorities’ moves to slash budgets for maintenance on rights of way would hit rural economies.

Ms Ashbrook, who is patron of the Walkers Are Welcome town network, was speaking in Ilkley, one of the towns in the network of places that have adopted walker-friendly policies.

The campaigner, who is also general secretary of the Open Spaces Society and a trustee of the Ramblers, said: “This fortnight’s festival demonstrates just how valuable public paths and access land are for the life and livings of rural communities.

“Over the next two weeks, people will flock to the South Pennines, to enjoy the festival’s magnificent programme of walks, horse rides and bike rides. Whether they come from nearby towns or make a holiday of it, these visitors will contribute significantly to the local economy.

“To enjoy their activities, they need paths to be in good condition, and access land which is accessible.  They need a warm welcome.

Kate Ashbrook

“Yet at the very time that the festival demonstrates the importance of outdoor activities to the economy, local authorities across the area are set to slash their budgets on public paths and access land, driven by the Government’s pressure to make cuts. The paths will undoubtedly deteriorate and we shall all be the losers.

She praised the setting up of the network of Walkers Are Welcome Towns in the area, including Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Otley, Ilkley, Marsden and Bradfield, and said this showed the benefits that come from promoting the walking opportunities of communities.

“All of us who enjoy walking, riding or cycling must speak with one voice,” Ms Ashbrook continued. “We must emphasise that good paths are vital to the rural economy. We must demonstrate that walking is the best and most cost-effective prevention for ill health, saving millions of pounds on the NHS budget.

“We must call on the government and our local authorities to recognise that cutting the budget for paths and access land is shooting us all in the foot.”

The two-week South Pennines Walk and Ride Festival runs from 11 to 26 September, and has more than 100 events ranging from guided walks and nature rambles to cycling events, mountain-bike rides and horse rides.  It has been organised by the regional rural regeneration champion Pennine Prospects.