Volunteers are being encouraged to help care for Leeds’ extensive network of public footpaths as the city marks Volunteers’ Week.
Leeds has around 865 kilometres of public rights of way, winding through woodlands, city streets, farmland, riversides and open countryside. The routes range from short neighbourhood footpaths to well-known trails including the Leeds Country Way, Meanwood Valley Trail, Dales Way Link and Trans Pennine Trail.
Public rights of way, often known as PROWs — are legally protected routes across public or private land. They are open for anyone to use and play an important role in connecting residents and visitors with the city’s landscapes, communities and heritage. Maintaining such a vast network is no small undertaking. Leeds City Council’s public rights of way team works throughout the year to keep the routes safe, accessible and welcoming, with support from a group of dedicated volunteers.
No two days are the same for the team. Their work ranges from installing signposts and waymarkers to resurfacing paths, repairing and building bridges, fitting steps, gates and fencing, clearing fallen trees and overgrown vegetation, and surveying routes across the city. Among the volunteers lending a hand is 32-year-old John Campbell, who joins the team for a task day each month.
A keen walker who enjoys spending time outdoors, John decided to get involved after seeing an opportunity to help care for the countryside routes he regularly uses. John Campbell said:
“I liked the idea of giving something back and actually helping to maintain the paths that I use day to day.
“In December I helped put a handrail on a set of steps that were really quite steep and when we went back a few months later we got lots of comments from people saying how amazing the handrail was. It felt so good that something I’ve done is really benefitting people.”
David Preston, who leads the voluntary footpath rangers said:
“The aim of this volunteering group is to offer valuable opportunities for Leeds residents to support us in our work, whilst also getting some fresh air and exercise and finding out more about our fantastic rights of way network.”
“Every summer the focus is on cutting back vegetation to improve access, whilst also benefitting biodiversity by leaving wildflowers at the edge of footpaths and bridleways.
“Storms and tree diseases can result in a lot of fallen trees that block paths and need removing. From these we create brash and log piles which work as vital shelters for mammals, birds and insects.”
Leeds City Council also maintains the definitive map and statement — the legal record of every public right of way in the city — and is responsible for ensuring that the network remains open and accessible. Residents who would like to get involved can find opportunities through Volunteer Team Leeds, the council’s volunteering programme.
Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for communities and community safety said:
“Volunteers are at the heart of Leeds, contributing to the city in so many vital and inspiring ways.
“It’s impressive seeing the hard work of the public rights of way team and their volunteers, in their mammoth task of looking after hundreds of kilometres of paths and connecting us to the countryside.
“I strongly encourage all residents of Leeds to join the growing community of volunteers making a brilliant positive impact through council-supported initiatives across the city.”
The programme offers a wide range of ways to contribute, from supporting major city events such as Light Night and Leeds International Film Festival to taking part in befriending schemes and helping to care for Leeds’ parks and public rights of way. The call for more volunteers comes during Volunteers’ Week, which runs from June 1 to 7 and celebrates the contribution made by people who give their time to support communities across the country.
Volunteer Team Leeds is supported by funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, a central government programme administered locally by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
To explore the volunteering opportunities currently available, please visit the Volunteer Team Leeds roles page.
More information about public rights of way in Leeds, including an interactive map of the network, is available on the Leeds City Council website at www.leeds.gov.uk
