A PATH well-used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders on the edge of the North York Moors is set for a £40,000 upgrade.

The funding for the Over Silton to Thimbleby bridleway in Hambleton is designed to improve the path itself as well as reduce the visual impact of electricity transmission lines running close to it.

The North York Moors National Park Authority has received a £30,000 grant towards the work, which was allocated as part of National Grid’s Landscape Enhancement Initiative (LEI), which supports small-scale landscape projects in the 30 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and national parks across England and Wales that contain existing National Grid electricity infrastructure.

The existing bridleway is often left unusable through the winter months when its clay-rich surface makes it impassable for cyclists and horses and very challenging for walkers.

They often end up diverted along the busy A19, which is not only a more dangerous route but also means they cross directly under the electricity transmission line twice in places where there are long distance views of the horizon.

Upgrading the existing track to provide a firmer, better draining surface that will require lower levels of maintenance.

The route will keep local people and visitors to the national park away from the main road and one kilometre from the electricity transmission line, which is additionally screened from users of the bridleway by existing mature trees.

The upgraded route is expected to be open to the public from summer 2018, with minimal disruption to public access during the works.

Richard Gunton, director of park services at North York Moors National Park Authority, said: “The North York Moors is renowned for its spectacular scenery and beautiful landscapes, and we are pleased to have the opportunity through the support of the Landscape Enhancement Initiative to improve year-round access for visitors wanting to get out and explore the park.

“We hope that improving the surface of the bridleway will encourage more users onto the route where they will be able to enjoy the special qualities and serenity of the western side of the park. We’re also confident that increased drainage will help boost the biodiversity of the area, enabling indigenous species to repopulate the bare ground adjacent to the pathway.”

In June 2017, the next round of the LEI will be open for expressions of interest.

Further information on who can apply and how to do it can be found at lei.nationalgrid.com.