The Spen Valley Forum, chaired by Gordon north, are now fighting to bring back the area's second line back into use as a walkway. The former line, once serving Gomersal, is a logical cycleway and safe route to many schools on the south side of the Spen Valley. Sustrans have £90,000 which they can put as part funding if Kirklees can find the rest. It may not be too long before this new stretch of the Greenway is a common site for "walking school buses". A walk organised by Gordon on the 10th June ( See Greenway Events for more details) will provide impetus to the campaign.

Sir John  opens Dewsbury extension - 04/05/01

Sir John Harman, chairman of the Environment Agency and former leader of Kirklees Council, visited the Spen Valley Greenway today to open the new extension from Heckmondwike to Dewsbury. Sir John announced a Memorandum of Understanding between Sustrans and the Agency in facilitating new joint projects to improve walking and cycling in England and Wales.

Wheels for All - 23/02/01

Councillors from Lancashire, Bradford and Calderdale enjoyed a ride on the Spen Valley Greenway and used the opportunity to test a range of cycles which can be used for people with disabilities or special needs.

Wheels for All provided the cycles and a Kirklees spokesman said: " The route provided the ideal environment for a not-to-be-forgotten experience and a positive image of the Spen Valley. The Greenway is about including all the community and this day has demonstrated that fact."

Kirklees Public Meeting on Cycling - 17/01/2001

The Chairman of the Kirklees environment and transport management board Coun Martyn Bolt chaired a well attended public meeting into cycling development in the area at Dewsbury Sports Centre this evening.

The Greenway was discussed at great length and the panel were asked about funding, progress and links to other cycle routes.Other items discussed included motorbikes, litter and funding throughout Kirklees for cycle ways. The 50 or so members of the public who attended were concerned about the amount of money available throughout Kirklees for cycling for 2001/2002- £300,000 to £400,000 was not deemed to be a considerable amount considering that the Greenway on its own will have costed £700,000 on completion.

The meeting was however positive and other items included the Calder Valley Cycle Route; Returners to Cycling and Familes on Wheels; cycle parking in Dewsbury/Batley; Update on the Local Transport Plan and cyclists favoured cycle routes in the Dewsbury area. The date and time of the next meeting is Wednesday 25th April 2001 from 7.30pm to 9.00pm at Dewsbury Sports Centre

Greenway grows by a mile! 12/12/2000

Since the opening of the Greenway in June, Sustrans have worked hard to add approximately one mile of track from both the Heckmondwike end as well as Cleckheaton. There is now a link developing from the Railway Pub in Heckmondwike towards Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury. Also a stretch has now been laid from Tesco, Cleckheaton in the direction of Low Moor, Bradford.

Greenway gets a marching send off! 24/6/2000

The Spen Valley Greenway was officially open on Saturday 24th June. The 4km stretch from Cleckheaton to Heckmondwike was the scene of celebrations from Tesco's to the Railway Pub. The Spen Valley Scout and Guide Band marched from The Whitcliffe Hotel to the Tofts Road access point where Mike Wood MP unveiled a Millennium milestone.The band continued their march to the Linton Close access point, or Stone Circle, where a range of organisations from Kirklees, BTCV, and Halfords greeted them.

Leader of Kirklees Council Kath Pinnock unveiled one of the sculptured seats near the Knowler Hill tunnel commissioned by Jason Lane.

Throughout the afternoon celebrations continued at the Railway Pub in Heckmondwike, where a local irish folk band played in the beer garden and the pub had a Greenway ale brewed especially for the occasion.

The Longest Ride hits Spen 21/6/2000

More than twenty cyclists rode through the Spen Valley Greenway on Wednesday as part of the Longest Ride to celebrate the first 5,000 miles of the national cycle network. The cyclists followed a 45-mile route from Leeds to Huddersfield and were greeted by Mike Wood MP, greenway forum member Gordon North,  and Sustrans ranger Sam Foster at the Headlands Road access point.They presented  a specially commissioned Sustrans plaque to the reception party and were provided with much needed refreshments to assist them in the final leg of their journey.

Greenway Newsletter  24/5/2000

This week 18,000 homes in the Spen Valley area will receive a copy of the Greenway Newsletter inside their free weekly newspaper.You can view parts of the Newsletter on this website - go to Newsletter Update.

Motorbike Alert  24/5/2000

The Heckmondwike traffic police have been tremendously supportive in clearing the Greenway of motorbikes. There have been a number of motorbike confiscations and referals to the magistrates. We rarely see one on the Greenway nowadays. Nearly all of our local motorbikes have cooperated and no longer use the Greenway. However, if you should encounter a motorcycle on the Greenway then please ring the police ASAP on 0845 6060606 giving a description and aproximate location on the Greenway. The presence of a motorbike is extremely serious now that the Greenway has become so busy. Please do not move aside to let it pass. A motorbiker should be ordered off their bikes and push them to the nearest access point. If you have any information about a motorbike rider on the Greenway then please contact the Ranger Team, the police will act swiftly.

Sculpture Surprise  23/5/2000

Sculptured posts are being put in place on the Greenway. These elegantly ornate signposts are inscribed with area names.

Track goes down well ! 19/5/2000

The all weather track has now been laid by Sustrans. It caught many people by suprise as they set about their usual evening stroll or cycle. The new track is being described by most local people as FANTASTIC. Mr Peel who lives in Liversedge told us " Its the best thing they've done round here for years. I live close to the track and I must have counted over 100 people using it on Saturday." Sustrans haven't finished yet. They will still work towards creating a 'linear park' along the greenway and money is now available take the track down to Ravensthorpe in June. If you want to tell us what you think about it email us at rangers@spenvalleygreenway.com

Motorbikes 14/4/2000

There has been a dramatic reduction in the use of motorbikes on the Greenway. Now is the time to start claiming this corridor back into the public domain. A busy Greenway does not appeal to a motorbike rider. If you encounter a motorbike then you should make a call to the police, requesting a log number. If you are still disatisfied then e-mail the Ranger team. Unfortunately for the motorbikes it is illegal for them to use the Greenway, Sustrans the landowners strictly forbid this activity as it comprimises the safety of the many legitamate users. The all weather path will be laid in May and would be an ideal time for new visitors to come to  this stretch of urban countryside.

Web Site Address - 12/4/2000

A new web address has been purchased. http://www.spenvalleygreenway.com              The existing more complicated web address will automaticly divert visitors to the new site.

Thank You to Heckmondwike Traffic Police - 8/4/2000

The partnership with the Heckmonwike police is proving effective in clearing the Greenway of motorbikes. There have been referrals to the magistrates, motorbikes have been confiscated and the general public are being informed. The project continues. Now is the time to reclaim the Greenway as public space for walkers, cyclist and for children playing.

Fly Tipping Clear Up a Great Success! - 1/4/2000

As many as twenty local volunteers, a Sustrans tractor and trailer and a JCB cleared two tonnes of fly-tipping from between the stone circle in Liversedge down to the Railway Pub in Heckmondwike. A big thank-you is extended to all those who took part and a warning goes out to fly-tippers - "Tip and you will pay the price" - a big fine in the local magistrates court.

Greenway Website gets underway! - 14/3/2000

The Spen Valley Greenway Website has finally arrived. The website has been set up for local people in the Spen Valley who want to find out more about the Greenway, a footpath, bridle way and cycle route running along the disused Spen Valley railway track.

Developments on the Greenway - 13/3/2000

The construction works are well underway; nearly all the earthworks for the access ramps have been completed. The path has been dramatically widened on the Cleckheaton stretch. The tarmac path construction begins in May. We are on schedule for an end of June opening of the showpiece between Cleckheaton and Heckmonwike.

The plans for the Heckmondwike to Ravensthorpe stretch are currently in the making. The third phase will be from Cleckheaton to East Bierley.

Wakefield and Bradford councils are looking at routes to link their city centres with the Greenway. So soon we really will be part of the National Cycle Network!

Jason Lane, our resident artist from Bristol has been making the scap metal sculptures. He has created some fantastic benches from old silage buckets! Jason is also constructing pillars which will act as barriers to vehicles on the Greenway and he will also be doing sculptures and signs for the route.

The landscaping groundwork will take place shortly, but planting will happen in the autumn.

The Sustrans Ranger Team - 10/3/2000

There are now two Sustrans rangers. Sam based in Liversedge and Rob who lives in Heckmondwike. Please feel free to contact us with you queries on 01924 408863 or e-mail us at rangers@spenvalleygreenway.com

Motorbikes get cold shoulder - 9/3/2000

Motorbikes are the most serious issue at present. Unfortunately for the motorbikes and the quad bikes it is now illegal for them to use the Greenway, since it seriously compromises the safety of children playing, walkers and cyclists. Sustrans, the landowners do not give permission for motorbikes to use the Greenway. Motorbikers are being informed about the project and its benefits to the community. Some are already refraining from using the Greenway. However, there are groups and individual motorbikers who may not have heard about the project and need informing. Sadly, there are also the more determined motorbikers for whom we need police assistance to move off the Greenway. We are currently working with the police and creating an action plan. However, if you feel motorbikes on the Greenway compromise your safety, then please make a complaint to the police and get a log number for your call. Email the Sustrans rangers with your log number and we can monitor the response. It is only sufficient public pressure that will cause police resources to focus on the hazards of motorbikes on the Greenway.

Once the route is popularised it will no longer appeal to the motorbiker, but we need the motorbikes off the track so that we can popularise it!

(There are a number of steps being taken to find alternatives for the motorbikers, if you have any additional ideas then please contact Sam or Rob on 01924 408863 or e-mail rangers@spenvalleygreenway.com )

Kids travel to school in style - 5/3/2000

Safe routes to schools projects are now being addressed, so that children can safely use the Greenway to travel with their friends to and from school, away from the hazardous roadside.

Various community groups are being informed about the benefits that the Greenway will bring to them. Events for this summer are already being timetabled.

Tackling the Tippers - 4/3/2000

There is going to be a mega clear up of years of fly tipping from Liversedge to Heckmondwike. A Sustrans lorry will collect the rubbish as the volunteers' advance slowly along the Greenway. It will be fun occasion for all age groups, kids can enjoy exploring the Greenway, families especially welcome but we need some strong men too! Bring a picnic or stop off for fish & chips en route. This is a social opportunity to meet the local rangers, and to make a historical contribution to clearing up our environment. Once the route has been cleared of rubbish, it will be easy to detect new fly tipping. Any new incidents of fly tipping will be investigated and offenders will be prosecuted. Please join us, we need everyone helping.

Saturday  April, 11.00am. Meet on the Greenway at the access point where the Halifax Road meets Headlands Road in Liversedge.

The council will be clearing up the disgraceful rubbish heaps that have been dumped on the Greenway at Ravensthorpe.

John Gleadow, from Leisure and Recreation at Kirklees council, has been making a fantastic contribution to the Greenway project. He has been making contacts throughout Kirklees that will be of great benefit to the project. There will be considerable publicity for the project this summer and numerous events are being planned to cater for everyone on the Greenway!