2024-03-31-accounts

CAMPAIGN UPDATE 2024

We have campaigned and organised on several different fronts as we strive to make Greenside Greenway a reality. Here is an overview of our activities since January 2023, as Covid restrictions were finally relaxed.

OUR OBJECTIVES

• To promote and encourage for the public benefit in the community, the development and provision of safe routes, paths and facilities for cycling, walking and other forms of low energy transport.

• To undertake and carry out projects and activities of a charitable nature, which will assist in promoting healthy recreation and the protection of the environment.

• To fund a feasibility study into the costs and practicalities of the construction of a greenway path, available for cyclists and walkers through the Greenside Tunnel. If feasible, in terms of costs and funding, to secure the eventual construction of the Greenway

• To secure the eventual linkage of the Greenway to the Leeds Cycleway at Stanningley, and to the Spen Valley Greenway at Oakenshaw, by constructing a Greenway linking through Tyersal, Holmewood and Low Moor railway station.

• To liaise with and lobby all relevant organisations who can help and assist with the eventual construction of the Greenway.

• We aim to promote and encourage for the public benefit in the community, the development & provision of safe routes, paths and facilities for cycling, walking and other forms of low energy transport and to undertake and carry out projects and activities of a charitable nature which will assist in promoting healthy recreation and the protection of the environment

CHARITABLE STATUS

We completed the application process to the Charity Commissioners, who confirmed our status in January 2022. There are now two distinct parts of the organization. The Trustees of the Charity (Number 1197601) have to file transparent accounts and reports which are reported and published on-line, while the Greenway Committee continues to steer and organise activities.

ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGNING ACTIVITIES

• No litter picks of the route were organised because many local groups do them already, but a programme of guided walks of the entire route will be scheduled this year. We have produced an informative map of the route created by a local illustrator, as well as a detailed walking guide with maps and hints, which will soon be available.

• We have also cut down vegetation along the path route and have identified two broken benches ‘which have been discovered’. We have recently been given permission to repair and restore these two benches, and there are plans to build others.

• Problems with illegal bikes , We have posted notices to report illegal quad and motor bikes in Black Carr Woods/Fulneck and on the embankment. We have also liaised with West Yorkshire Police on this.

• Highways England , (owner of the Tunnel) We reported insecure gates, and requested then to fit more secure locks. Works are now completed to prevent anti-social activities. We have applied for permission to lead guided

walks through the tunnel and are awaiting a positive response.

 Heritage Display Boards for Lowtown and Greenside stations, We have been allocated funding by Leeds City Council for two new heritage information boards, thanks to diligent campaigning by Councillor Trish Smith. These boards were unveiled in April by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracey Brabin. We were been promised a bench seat at each site, with completion expected later this year.

FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES

• Social events. Over £100 was raised at Pudsey Carnival, and a smaller amount was collected at the Scarecrow Festival in Pudsey Park.

• Applications for fundraising. Over the last 12 months we have made applications to City Connect, and local charities. We have also approached Sustrans to consider funding a feasibility study for phases 2/3. So far with no success.

PLANNING ITEMS

We have objected to the extra two dwellings built (retrospective planning application in 2021) by EP homes which were ignored, additional landfill, and that no seeding has taken place which was one of the conditions made when the partial infill was granted in 2017.

We have commented on a planning application on phase 2 of the route near Varleys Yard/Kent Road housing development and re-quested 5 metres of additional land next to the current top footpath.

We objected to plans by Omega Stone to change their showroom by

asking for footpath from Glebe Mount to Carlisle Road to be re-opened,

after its illegal closure. Developments in this area needs to be closely

ORGANISATIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Progressing the Feasibility Study. We have had a meeting with the WY Combined Authority and Leeds City Council, to get the route into the next batch of Walking and Cycling Infrastructure plans.

 Phase 2/3 Stanningley to Mount Pleasant Road - Carlisle Road. At the same meeting it was suggested we consider progressing these phases first, as most of route already has access, is not as expensive with minimal land issues. We will need funds for a feasibility study.

 Other Organisations, We are members of Leeds Parks and Countryside Forum, there are over 90 local groups within Leeds. We also keep in touch with other Greenway groups such as Elmet and Queensbury, Harrogate Cycling Forum, Leeds Ramblers Association .and other local groups such as Save Tong Valley, Litter Free Pudsey, Pudsey and District Civic Society.

 Walking and Cycling works in Pudsey , This project is to make links to New Pudsey rail station easier for residents and encourage more walking and cycling. We took part in a planning meeting, and asked for signage to be included as part of the phase 2/3 of the Greenway . Nothing has happened since.

• Local Media promoting the Greenway. Many thanks to West Leeds Dispatch for excellent articles on our plans.

• We operate and maintain a web site

greensidegreenway.org have a Facebook page: Greenside Greenway and our Twitter account is at: @greensidegreen . With 1,500 followers.

• Membership for supporters of Greenside Greenway group is free and we have over 130 supporters.

• Committee meetings are held monthly at the Royal Hotel and we have an active committee working on different issues.

 The current committee is made up from people local to Pudsey: Chair: Andrew Jarosz, Vice Chair: Gary Lemal, Secretary: Martin Stanley, Treasurer; Tim Devereaux, Membership Secretary: Andy Wilson*, Other committee

members are: Lee Carter, David Dixon, Chris DunfordKelk, George Dyker, Suzie Jarosz Fiz Lemal, Denise Hanson, Judy Wardle Members with asterisks are also Charity Trustees* .

FAREWELLS and RETURNS

Sadly three members are leaving the Trustees, this year. All are staying

on the committee.

Andrew Jarosz, founder member and Chair from 2017 is leaving, because there is a three-year membership term, but remains supportive, and will remain on the committee.

Judy Wardle is standing down as Trustee, because of the three-year rule, and will remain on the committee.

Chris Dunford-Kelk is standing down as Trustee, because of the three-year rule, and will remain on the committee. Denise Hanson , elected at the first AGM in 2018, returns to the Trustees after a one-year break.

May 2024

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