The Mayor of Barnsley Cllr Sarah Tattershall has officially reopened a section of the Trans Pennine Trail which has been refurbished and upgraded to help encourage more people to enjoy the benefits of active travel.

A ceremony was held at the Moorend Lane, Silkstone Common access point onto the TPT, following significant improvement works. It was attended by the mayor, as well as local ward member and Chair of the TPT Executive Board Cllr John Wilson, representatives from the contractors, volunteers, Sustrans and the national TPT Office.

The works followed a £745,000 grant from Department of Transport via Sustrans National Cycle Network Improvement projects. This enabled improvement to drainage, signage, surfacing, access controls and biodiversity on two sections of the trail: Between Black Horse Drive, Silkstone Common and Smithy Wood Lane, Dodworth; Between the A61 and Haverlands Lane, Worsbrough. The new volunteers led the significant improvements at the entrance park in Worsbrough creating an open, flower-filled area with rainbow-coloured seating for all to enjoy.

In addition, the works included biodiversity improvements including willow tit nesting habitats and sowing native wildflower seeds and bulbs. The works have also improved seating making sure there is somewhere to sit at least every 500 metres, which continues the Age Friendly Barnsley Take a Seat partnership project.

The upgraded surfacing includes 5,642 sq m of Flexipave, a product made using recycled tyres. As a result, 15,064 old car tyres were recycled instead of going to landfill which saved 331,411kg of CO2.

The council’s own Highways Department laid the surfacing on flatter sections where agricultural access was required, or the width allowed an adjacent grass bridleway strip alongside the smooth tarmac sections. Our partner KBI laid the Flexipave surface on the steeper and narrower sections. This is suitable for all users and provides additional grip in wet or icy conditions.

The Countryside Ranger Team carried out the drainage and subbase work with one of the tractor drivers and supported several volunteer days.

Sustrans community officer Sarah Bradbury led the community involvement with Silkstone Care and Silkstone Beavers joining in.  She has led guided walks and helped to set up the flourishing new TPT Volunteer ranger team who look after the TPT from Dodworth to Aldham Junction, Wombwell. 

Cllr James Higginbottom, Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment and Highways, said: Cllr James Higginbottom, Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment and Highways, said: “Active travel is a vitally important part of creating the greener, cleaner and more sustainable Barnsley we all want to see. Walking, running, cycling and scooting more helps you to be healthier and it’s better for the environment. We’re working hard to make sure our borough will have different ways of connecting our places and people.

“We know those who use the Trans Pennine Trail recognise just how valuable it is. I hope these improvements encourage even more people to get out and enjoy the benefits of active travel, whether it’s to get them where they need to be, or just to enjoy being out getting exercise in the fresh air.”

To find out about joining the volunteers looking after the local environment including the TPT visit www.transpenninetrail.org.uk/rangers.

CAPTION: Reopening the upgraded Trans Pennine Trail are Mayor of Barnsley Cllr Sarah Tattersall with local ward member and Chair of the TPT Executive Board Cllr John Wilson, with representatives from contractors, volunteers, Sustrans and the national TPT Office.