A TEAM of rangers has been set up to help maintain 300 miles of public rights of way in parts of the newly-extended Yorkshire Dales National Park.

A further 150 square miles of Cumbria became part of the national park when its boundaries were extended in August.

The authority has assumed responsibility for the extra miles following a legal agreement signed with Cumbria County Council.

The county council will make a one-off payment of £150,000 to the authority to help it carry out its new duties.

The agreement means national park rangers are now formally the first port of call for any enquiries about rights of way in the extension area.

The YDNPA’s Chairman Carl Lis, said: “This has been a sensitive negotiation and it has been well handled. Cumbria County Council have been exceptionally good to work with, and I would like to thank them for their co-operation.

“Now the national park authority can get on with maintaining and improving the rights of way network in this beautiful part of Cumbria. Well maintained rights of way are often cited as one of the advantages of being in a national park. Everyone should benefit, as excellent footpaths help support the local economy and protect local facilities such as shops, pubs and cafes.”

The YDNPA has opened an office in Orton to provide a base for a newly-created Western Ranger team. It has the task of making sure the surface of footpaths, as well as bridleways, restricted byways and byways open to all traffic, are safe and easy to use.

Landowners will continue to be responsible for the crossing points such as stiles and gates, although the rangers will maintain the infrastructure on their behalf as required.

In total there are 5,400 stiles, gates, signposts or waymarks, as well as 400 river crossings, in the Western Ranger team area.

The team is led by area manager Steve Hastie, while the main point of contact for local communities will be Paul Wilkinson.

Maintenance of rights of way are the responsibility of Suzannah Barningham and Graham Pye.

They will be assisted by a team of 22 trained Dales Volunteers, alongside 16 volunteers who have come forward since August’s boundary extension.

There are 28 parishes in the Western Ranger team area including Orton, Crosby Ravensworth, the northern Howgill Fells, Wild Boar Fell, Mallerstang Barbon, Middleton, Casterton, the Lune Valley, Southern Howgills, Sedbergh, Garsdale and Dent.