Essential repair work has taken place on a crumbling footpath at a nature reserve.  

After erosion caused part of the path in Healey Dell Nature Reserve to crumble away, Lancashire County Council's public rights of way staff teamed up with Rossendale Borough Council and Rochdale Borough Council to rebuild the surface of the path and install a new safety rail, ensuring public safety.

County Councillor Shaun Turner, cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: "Healey Dell Nature Reserve is a beautiful and much-loved area which has stunning views from a 100ft viaduct, waterfalls, cycle routes along the disused railway line and the lovely Healey Dell Heritage Centre and Tea Rooms for a bite to drink and a coffee on your day out.

"We are aware that the path crumbling could potentially have led to it being sealed off permanently and we really didn’t want that."

Scott Smith, County Councillor for Whitworth and Bacup, said: "I'm really grateful to the public rights of way team for finding a way to repair the path so quickly.

"Healey Dell means so much to Whitworth residents and this work will allow us all to enjoy it to the full once again. If you haven't been to the Dell before, now's the perfect time to plan a visit."

Christopher Booth, public rights of way officer at Lancashire County Council, added: "The work we do to ensure that the network is safe and accessible for people to enjoy takes high priority.

"We are really pleased with the final outcome here on a popular footpath in Healey Dell Nature Reserve."