WORK has now begun on the ‘Swale Trail’ – a new, easy-going mountain bike trail that will run along the length of Swaledale, between Reeth and Keld.

In the past two weeks, 400 tonnes of limestone aggregate have been brought from nearby Leyburn quarry and laid along Low Lane, near Low Row, by Conservefor Ltd.

The Settle-based company’s director, Gareth Evans, has led a crew of six, re-dressing the surface of the 2.5km-long lane to make it more even and installing better drainage.

Passers-by will have seen Cemex UK lorries from Leyburn arriving with the aggregate, which has been put into place using four dumpers and three diggers.

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority area ranger, Michael Briggs, is managing the Swale Trail project.

He said: “It’s very exciting to see work start on this long-anticipated trail.

“The stone Cemex has supplied – and that Conservefor has laid – will make for a really hardwearing surface.

“We are working on the easiest bit first.

“Low Lane is an unclassified, historic road, which had become uneven and overgrown.

“Other sections of the trail will be more complicated, but planning is well underway.”

The £221,000 trail is hoped to be completed by next Easter and will cover 12 miles, largely traffic-free.