Since 2013, Burley in Wharfedale Parish Council has been in partnership with Pool Parish Council, Menston Parish Council and Otley Town Council, as well as Bradford Metropolitan District Council and Leeds City Council to develop the Wharfedale Greenway. The Wharfedale Greenway is a proposed safe walking and cycling path that, when built, will link Pool-in-Wharfedale, Otley, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Ilkley, Addingham, and potentially onwards to Bolton Abbey and the Yorkshire Dales.
In 2016, a series of studies undertaken by Leeds City Council identified a number of potential cycle facilities, but concluded that there are limited opportunities for continuous linear cycle routes due to the hilly terrain of the region. However, the disused Arthington to Burley railway (closed in 1965) links Arthington to Burley-in-Wharfedale via the Harrogate line, offered a unique opportunity to provide traffic-free cycling in the valley. Re-joining will provide: an easy link from Pool (avoiding a major road), for which Otley is the main centre of services and schools; an easy link from Burley-in-Wharfedale to Otley which offers alternative amenities to Ilkley; a link from Otley to the railway stations at Burley-in-Wharfedale and Menston; and, has the potential to provide a longer greenway route from York to the Yorkshire Dales capable of generating a tangible increase in the local tourism economy. Public consultations and requests have highlighted a desire for more family-orientated facilities that can provide leisure opportunities and links to schools that are suitable for novice and proficient cyclists alike.
Phase one of the Wharfedale Greenway project will provide a riding, walking and cycle route between Otley and Burley. Otley, Ilkley and Burley have a flourishing cycling culture and have hosted the Tour de France and Tour de Yorkshire. However, there are no facilities suitable for family cyclists, and local businesses are missing out on this strong potential market. Sustrans propose that the project will form the first phase of a major tourist route linking York to the Yorkshire Dales.
The Wharfedale Greenway has now been discussed for over a decade, and like any major project there are a number of key milestones which need to be completed. These include identifying route options, agreeing a preferred route, undertaking detailed route investigation, compiling all of the documents needed for a planning application, applying for planning permission, detailed design work, compiling a business case, and then successfully applying for funding.
The project is being planned in different phases:
- Phase 1 Otley > Burley in Wharfedale (Planning permission in place)
- Phase 2 Pool in Wharfedale > Otley
- Phase 3 Otley > Menston
- Phase 4 Burley in Wharfedale > Ben Rhydding > Ilkley
Section 1 Burley In Wharfedale to Otley (3 miles)
This section of the route will link the historic market town of Otley with the village of Burley in Wharfedale. The Greenway will run along the line of the Otley and Ilkley Joint Railway. This section of route was closed in 1965 as part of the Beeching cuts. The vast majority of this section will run on a dedicated traffic free route, which will start at Burley in Wharfedale train station and run to the outskirts of Otley ending at Otley Bypass.
Progress:
The entire Phase 1 section of the Wharfedale Greenway from Otley to Burley now has planning permission approved, subject to compliance with set conditions. In January 2022, Bradford MDC granted planning permission for the stretch of the Greenway within their boundary, from near Bradford Road, Otley to Burley.
Planning permission had already been approved by Leeds City Council for the stretch of the Greenway from Otley to the district boundary. Preliminary design work for this section is ongoing along with route consultation for Otley town centre.
Next steps:
The Greenway Steering Committee will now work with Sustrans, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and other external agencies to try to secure the necessary funding to turn the Greenway into a reality. This will include detailed design work (e.g. technical bridge drawings) and creating a business case for funding this section.
Section 2 Otley to Pool in Wharfedale (3 miles)
This section sits at the Eastern end of the Wharfedale Greenway. Leaving Otley it will run through the proposed East of Otley development, before terminating in the village of Pool-in-Wharfedale. Leeds City Council has long term plans to continue a Greenway onwards from Pool-in-Wharfedale to Wetherby as part of its Leeds Cycle Network Ambition.
Progress:
An initial feasibility study was conducted in 2014, which proposed following the line of the old railway line which is mostly intact from the outskirts of Otley to Pool in Wharfedale, creating a new traffic free route for walkers and cyclists.
Next Steps:
Additional details (e.g. detailed route drawings) are required, as well as discussions to confirm that the proposed route is viable.
Section 3 Menston Link (length dependent on route)
This spur will link the Wharfedale Greenway with the village of Menston, which will also be the shortest link to a railway station from Otley.
Progress:
Options for this route were first explored in the feasibility study published in 2014. Since then a number of different alignments have been explored and conversations are continuing to agree a proposed route.
Next steps:
Detailed feasibility study and pre-planning application discussions with Bradford MDC.
Section 4 Burley in Wharfedale to Ilkley (Denton Bridge) – 2 miles
This section brings the route to the edge of the historic spa town of Ilkley. This part of the railway was saved from the Beeching cuts after significant community opposition. This means that a completely new traffic free route will need to be formed between Burley in Wharfedale and Ben Rhydding, with some on road sections through Burley in Wharfedale.
Progress:
Options for this route were laid out as part of a feasibility study in 2017, which covered the route from Burley in Wharfedale to Addingham. Ilkley Town Council agreed to fund a detailed feasibility study in 2021 which is ongoing.
Next steps:
Awaiting detailed feasibility study report.
Section 5 Ilkley (Denton Bridge) to Addingham (approx 4.5 miles, depending on route)
After navigating a route through Ilkley, this section will create a link to Addingham – a historic village that was once home to 5 textile mills and is on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.
Progress:
Options for this route were laid out as part of a feasibility study in 2017, which covered the route from Burley in Wharfedale to Addingham.
Next steps:
Making a decision about how the route travels through Ilkley, and then what route it will follow from Ilkley to Addingham. Once a viable route has been agreed a detailed feasibility study can be undertaken.
Section 6 Addingham to Bolton Bridge (length dependent on route)
This section brings the Wharfedale Greenway into the Yorkshire Dales, heading towards Bolton Abbey.
Next steps:
Undertake a feasibility study of route options.