OTLEY is taking another step towards improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Work on an upgrade to the footpath at Manor Garth Park is due to start on Monday.

At the beginning of the pandemic the Government announced funding to improve walking and cycling. Otley councillors put in a bid for several schemes in the town and were initially told they could not have any money.

But after a long period of lobbying they were able to get funding to do works in Wharfemeadows - which has now been done - and Manor Garth Park, which links the bridge to Westgate.

The scheme, which is due to start next Monday is to widen the existing path so it can be a shared route for pedestrians and cyclists.

Otley Councillors Colin Campbell, Ryk Downes and Sandy Lay have welcomed news that work is finally due to start on the upgrade to the Manor Garth footpath.

"At the beginning of the pandemic the government announced money for walking and cycling schemes so we immediately put in bids for a number of schemes in Otley," said Cllr Campbell.

"Sadly we have only been able to get money for two, Wharfemeadows and Manor Garth Park."

"The work at Manor Garth is due to start next week," said Cllr Downes.

"Here the current footpath between Westgate and the Bridge will be widened to allow shared use by both pedestrians and cyclists."

Cllr Lay said:"This will mean that there will be a safe route bypassing the Manor Square traffic lights. It will benefit both young people cycling or walking to St Josephs and Prince Henry's along with more serious cyclists who will be able to avoid the busy Manor Square junction."

Cllr Campbell added:"We regard the current works as just part of a larger scheme to provide safe cycle and walking routes in Otley. We continue to search for funding and will work with our colleagues on the Town Council to help make Otley more people friendly."

‘Stage one’ of the scheme to make it easier to walk or cycle around Otley was completed last year.The footpath in Wharfemeadows Park, between the White Bridge and Farnley Lane, received an upgrade so it can how be used as a shared surface by pedestrians and cyclists.