The new bridge over Padside Beck

Walkers on one of northern England’s newest long-distance routes will be able to keep their feet drier after the building of two bridges over becks.

North Yorkshire County Council has engineered the structures along the Six Dales Trail, which officially opened in June. The route, from Otley in West Yorkshire to Middleham in Wensleydale, runs for 61km (38 miles) across six valleys on the eastern fringe of the Yorkshire Dales.

The trail crosses five watersheds and passes through Wharfedale, Washburndale, Nidderdale, Colsterdale, Coverdale and Wensleydale and part of it runs through the Nidderdale area of outstanding natural beauty.

But at two points, walkers faced difficult water crossings, so North Yorkshire County Council’s countryside and public rights of way teams oversaw the building of a footbridge at Padside Beck, near Blubberhouses, and the Arthur Adamson Memorial Bridge near Swinsty Reservoir, between Otley and Fewston.

Padside Beck before the bridge installation

County Councillor Clare Wood, executive member for business and environmental services, said: “This excellent long-distance trail gives walkers a chance to see some of the finest countryside North Yorkshire has to offer,” said

“The county council is very pleased to have made this important contribution to ensuring that the trail can be enjoyed by everyone.”