A GROUP of concerned horse riders have joined forces to try and stop resurfacing works 'destroying' the Trans Pennine Trail by turning it into 'another road'.
Barnsley Council has been laying tarmacadam on a grassed section of the trail between Bullhouse and Whams Road using funding from the Department of Transport.
Some horse riders thought half the width of the path would remain 'natural' to allow them to continue using it but the work has left only a narrow strip of grass, about 1.5m, which is unsuitable because of overhanging trees.
Horse rider Lucy Woodhead said: "When the first stretch was completed between Penistone and Bullhouse we were left with a side that was full of stones that the horses simply can't walk on," she said.
"With this latest stretch of work, we were promised that lessons had been learned – instead we have a worse problem where the whole of this beautiful stretch has been covered in tarmacadam."
Walking on hard surfaces has a negative impact on horses joints and the group, which has about 60 members, wants to ensure the council leaves them an adequate amount of natural surface if and when it carries out further work.
A council spokesman said: "The works on this part of the Trans Pennine Trail are only part way through. As part of the finishing works to the bridleway strip, the overhanging branches will be removed to a height of 12 feet."
