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New Halifax attraction will open up a path to forgotten delights... and some new ones too
IT will combine glorious views, sites of historical importance and nationally recognised parkland.
There will be a conservation area on site, a patch for grazing animals to be admired and places where happy visitors can sit back and relax while the world goes by.
This glorious new Calderdale tourist attraction is not simply a vision of the future.
Work on the spectacular 500-metre pathway to link Shibden Park to Beacon Hill Road via a series of historical monuments, animal homes, picnic sites and a conservation area, is set to begin in the next few weeks.
It should be completed by next summer.
"It is quite simply just a very exciting project for Halifax, for people who live in Calderdale and people who visit here," says Charlotte Brown, the project manager who has been leading the scheme since 2007.
"What we are doing is linking two major tourist attractions – Shibden Hall and its park and Beacon Hill – with a beautiful, fully integrated walk, which will offer a variety of other attractions."
Indeed, it is those other attractions that are causing some excitement.
The footpath – which at two metres wide at its narrowest point will be fully wheelchair accessible – will take in one of Calderdale's most overlooked scheduled ancient monuments, the Park Farm ventilation chimney and furnace house, which was built in the 1820s to serve the Shibden Hall colleries.
Just above it stands another impressive 19th-century ventilation shaft in the shape of a chimney connected to the railway tunnel that runs under the hill.
Miss Brown said: "We will have interpretation boards explaining the significance of these structures and their place on the hillside but we'll also have similar boards at different spots too. They could explain the views on either side of the hill – those looking down on Halifax and on Shibden – as well as containing information about environmental projects and wildlife in the area."
A special part of the walk will take in a conservation area where it is hoped butterflies and other wildlife will thrive, while halfway along the walk there will be picnic benches and seats where visitors can relax.
The path will then link into the top of Beacon Hill, the historic Magna Via trail or on down to Sunny Vale.
John Hargreaves, chairman of the Halifax Civic Trust, said: "The viewing platform from Beacon Hill is absolutely magnificent and anything which encourages people to go up there is a good thing. This is exactly the kind of project which brings vitality to Calderdale, offering a variety of attractions in one co-ordinated scheme."
It has been championed by the Halifax Renaissance Team, which is made up of about 70 representatives from the town, and has attracted funding from Yorkshire Forward. It has also been supported by Calderdale Council and local residents.
It has been a long process with the council first having to buy the land before applying for planning approval. But two years after the vision was first mooted, this integrated walkway is finally coming to fruition.
The Coal Authority is carrying out a survey to ensure there are no problems with the land before work is expected to begin by the end of July. Only sustainable material is to be used with the construction of walls, benches and other facilities.
Miss Brown said: "It is exciting to finally be at this stage. We are certain it will bring people to the area but just as importantly I think this will be a great facility for the people of Calderdale."
Comment But two years after the vision was first mooted, this integrated walkway is finally coming to fruition.
The Coal Authority is carrying out a survey to ensure there are no problems with the land before work is expected to begin by the end of July. Only sustainable material is to be used with the construction of walls, benches and other facilities.
Miss Brown said: “It is exciting to finally be at this stage. We are certain it will bring people to the area but just as importantly I think this will be a great facility for the people of Calderdale.”
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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