HIGHWAYS workers have given a new lease of life to an increasingly popular footpath near Thirsk.

Stockton Road in South Kilvington has long been lined with a narrow footpath only able to facilitate single-file walkers.

However, during the pandemic it has seen an influx of usage and requests were made to cut back the grass and overhanging hedges.

The operation was one of the first tasks undertaken by NY Highways which was launched by the County Council at the start of June after its contract with private sector company Ringway ended.

County Councillor Gareth Dadd, local member for Thirsk, said: “Stockton Road was too narrow for the increased number of people using it over the past year or so as during lockdown people were encouraged to walk locally.

“We received a number of requests to remedy the overhanging hedges to make it more accessible.

"These only increased during the recent warm weather which has seen hedges grow very quickly.

“The path is now unrecognisable. Our highways team have done a great job in ensuring it can cope with the increase in walkers and will serve them well for the summer season and beyond.”