16. A landscape for everyone to enjoy Volunteers improving accessibility, replacing a stile with a kissing gate Sponsoring partner SRWT, PDNPA, SCC RoW, SVP, Walkers are Welcome , Yorkshire Water A project around improving accessibility to our Landscape heritage. A detailed assessment of access and barriers to access was carried out on our behalf by the Outdoor Recreation research Group (ORRG). This has driven the physical access and information elements of this project. Physical work to help people access out heritage will be delivered by a range of partners and will include: Improvements to our PRoW network at key locations; Redmires, Loxley Valley and between the reservoirs of Langsett and Midhope. The creation of a ‘multi-ability’ easy walk around Langsett Reservoir. Restoration of a traditional pack horse route across the moors to Cutgate path. Improvements to nature reserve access and facilities to help more people discover these special places. Full project description Projects with separate descriptions 16a. Access to Heritage Steel valley Project £54,000 16b. Langsett Path Yorkshire Water £100,000 16c. Restoration of North America Path Moors For The Future £58,000 16d. Enjoying Lakeland Nature Reserves Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust £40,000 How does the project contribute to our vision? “A wilder, more natural and resilient landscape of native clough woodland, descending down from the moorland slopes to the reservoirs, streams and farmlands below, alive to the sound of curlews and lapwings, and crossed by a lattice work of drystone walls and accessible paths and bye-ways. A landscape that provides clean air and water, supports wildlife, helps to reduce flooding and improves peoples’ health & wellbeing. A landscape for everyone to value, enjoy, understand – and feel part of. Our vision is inclusive, these project will help more people enjoy and learn about our landscape heritage. SLLP Project Development Pro Forma Name of Project 16a. Access to Heritage Photograph (key image) Sponsoring partner organisation & The project will be run by the Steel Valley Project in close main contact collaboration with Sheffield City Council Public Rights of Way, who manage footpaths, bridleways and byways in the SLLP project area. 150 word summary The project will improve access to key gateways and routes in the SLLP area at Redmires, Loxley Valley and Langsett, to help a wide range of people experience the unique heritage of this area. The public rights of way that will be improved as part of this project have been identified through the Access & Gateways consultancy project, which included significant public consultation. SLLP partners, landowners and statutory organisations have been involved in the project development to ensure a joined up approach to access to heritage, identifying priorities accordingly. Barriers to access have been identified during site condition surveys and work will be carried out to remove or improve these, increasing access to a range of landscape heritage features. Steel Valley Project will carry out the work with their team of volunteers, giving members of the local community the opportunity to be involved in practical access improvement work. Full project description Redmires There is a wealth of natural, social and built heritage around this upland reservoir. With SSI moorlands, gritstone outcrops and waterways that provide homes for some of Sheffield’s iconic and protected species and have played their role in human history throughout the ages. Access here is via an extensive network of paths, including a flat, level and well- surfaced ‘easy going trail’ which follows a conduit which is home to protected water voles. Improvements to the footpath link between the end of the easy going trail and the Sheffield City Council car park at Redmires has been identified as key to accessing the WWI trenches on ‘Hill 60’, used for army training alongside the SSI moorland. The moorland has been damaged and eroded by walkers leaving the path due the very boggy conditions found under foot on the current path. The following improvements would be made utilising Steel Valley Project staff, volunteers and where necessary contractors. - Improve links from the Redmires car park to Redmires Road and the public footpath to the north. - Re-surface the 30 metre section of path between the car park and the public footpath, either side of the sleeper bridge to 1.2 metres in width. - Replace the gate post on the latch side and reconnect the timber rails. - Install 40 metres of stone pitching on the eroded steep path. - Remove the stile and install a 1.2 metre wide wooden gate to increase access. - Install 15 metres of stone pitching on the braided muddy section of path. - Install 30 metres of stone flagging across the water-logged area. Loxley Valley The River Loxley’s fast flowing waters have provided water power for centuries and evidence of the valley’s industrial history can be seen right along its length with numerous dams still in existence. The Loxley Valley was at the epicentre of the Great Sheffield Flood in 1864 when Dale Dyke dam failed, spewing water down the valley leading to the loss of 17 lives. The valley has an extensive network of paths and the ‘Loxley Valley Walk’ runs from Malin Bridge up to Damflask Reservoir, passing closely by much of the valley’s industrial heritage on the way. Improvements to some sections of this path have been identified as key to removing barriers to access and improving some sections of the route to provide consistent surfacing. This will encourage more people to use the route in its entirety, enabling them to access the rich industrial heritage of the valley. The following improvements would be made utilising Steel Valley Project staff, volunteers and where necessary contractors. - Remove steel beams and install a steel gate, which allows a wider range of users to access the path. - Install 160 metres at 3 metres in width of aggregate to create a level, well-draining surface on a section of muddy path. - Upgrade of wooden chicane to allow all permitted users to access the public footpath whilst ensuring others cannot access it easily. - Install 365 metres at 1.5 metres in width of aggregate to create a level, well-draining surface on a section of muddy and narrowed path, in addition to improving the stability of the path alongside the mill pond. - Install 160 metres at 3 metres in width of aggregate to create a level, well-draining surface on a muddy section of path. - Remove a section of stone wall and install a steel gate to enable a wider range of users to access the path. Langsett Langsett is Sheffield’s largest reservoir and nestles high above Stockbridge amongst moorland, woodland and farmland on the edge of the Peak District. There is a wealth of heritage here, with the SSSI moorlands alongside recent WWII history, including an abandoned farm that was used for tank target practice! There are numerous paths around Langsett reservoir and a path that provides a link between Langsett and the road leading to Midhopestones, part of the Friends of the Peak District Boundary Walk, has been identified as a priority for improvements. The following improvements would be made utilising Steel Valley Project staff, volunteers and where necessary contractors. - Install 20 metres at 1.2 metres in width of aggregate to create a level, well-draining surface on this section of water-logged and eroded path. Supporting documents Access and Gateways to the Landscape Appraisal, SHU ORRG, 2018 Loxley Valley Design Statement, Loxley Valley Design Group, 2003 Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan, SCC, 2007 Other partners and organisations Sheffield City Council Public Rights of Way directly engaged in delivering the project Other organisations benefitting or Stocksbridge Walkers Are Welcome, Bradfield Walkers taking part in your project or key Are Welcome & Sheffield Local Access Forum target audience How does the project contribute to our vision? “A wilder, more natural and resilient landscape of native clough woodland, descending down from the moorland slopes to the reservoirs, streams and farmlands below, alive to the sound of curlews and lapwings, and crossed by a lattice work of drystone walls and accessible paths and bye-ways. A landscape that provides clean air and water, supports wildlife, helps to reduce flooding and improves peoples’ health & wellbeing. A landscape for everyone to value, enjoy, understand – and feel part of. The project will help to improve members of the public’s access to this historic landscape. The work will also prevent erosion and degradation of the adjoining habitats, areas of which are SSSI. Strategic fit The Outdoor City Strategy 2015- ‘Infrastructure to support a quality experience’- this project will contribute towards improved infrastructure to enable access to the outdoors. The Move More Plan 2015- ‘Empowered Communities’ and ‘active environments’- this project will engage volunteers in their environment encouraging them to be active in the outdoors leading to positive health outcomes. Green and Open Space Strategy 2010- ‘Green connections for people and wildlife’- this project will provide improved access for people. The Peak District, Dark Peak (Yorkshire Fringe) Strategy 2009- ‘Opportunities should be sought to improve recreational facilities and opportunities within the area, without affecting the landscape character’ This project will significantly improve recreational facilities in a strategic and well researched way to maximise positive impacts and minimise negative impact on the surrounding landscape. How does your project contribute to our combined statement of significance? This project will see work carried out on both the dramatic, open moorlands and the steep wooded broadleaf woodlands, which provide so much of the character of this unique area, alongside the reservoirs. These landscapes not only provide an essential connection from the River Don in the lowlands to the moorland uplands, but also a connection to our industrial and cultural past, having often been preserved from development due to their inaccessible topography.