National park bosses said the volunteers' work rate was amazing

Outdoor enthusiasts have been praised for their ‘amazing’ efforts in helping clear debris from a Yorkshire Dales bridleway after recent floods.

Walkers and mountain bikers from across the North of England joined national park rangers in removing 150 tonnes from the route at Langthwaite in Arkengarthdale.

Residents from the area, parish councillors and farmers also helped clear the right of way.

Yorkshire Dales national park rangers appealed for help via online media and the Dales Bike Centre in Fremington publicised the event, after flash flooding at the end of July swept away the aggregate surface of the bridleway and created a gully into which walling stone and other debris was deposited.

The authority said, in the space of five hours, the team cleared an estimated 150 tonnes of stone from a 750m section of the bridleway. Any walling stone was placed by the bridleway for re-use, while rubbish such as concrete and tarmac slabs and baling wrap was taken away.

Volunteers clear debris from Langthwaite bridleway

The national park authority’s area manager (north) Matt Neale said: “I would like to thank all the people that came out. They were just superb.

“The work rate was amazing. Everyone wanted to help and get the job done. There will be future events that will be publicised in the same way – so keep an eye out on social media for requests for help.”

The authority’s member champion for recreation management Nick Cotton said: “Experienced rangers have said they’ve never before seen a volunteer effort like it.

“People came from across the North of England, from Kendal to Hull to Bishop Auckland, to help. There were walking and mountain bike enthusiasts, as well as residents.

“It was an unusual and unique gathering of people who came together for a common cause.”