The newly refurbished Spen Valley Greenway has been reopened with better access for people using wheelchairs and buggies.

The charity Sustrans worked with Bradford and Kirklees Councils to upgrade access and surfacing on a 2.5 mile section of the popular off-road path, between Victoria Park in Oakenshaw and Whitechapel Road in Cleckheaton.

The route is popular with cyclists and walkers – but the changes aim to make it better for wheelchairs and buggies.

Spen Valley Greenway is part of National Route 66, a former railway line that runs from Dewsbury to Oakenshaw, near Bradford. It’s a popular path for people walking and cycling for leisure, as well as commuting to school and workplaces.

Upgrade work included improving access at Laithe Hall Avenue and Green Lane to help people with wheelchairs, pushchairs, and adapted bikes get onto the greenway more easily.

A smoother tarmac surface has also been laid, with lumps caused by tree roots removed and the path widened to three metres.

Local people tried out the new smoother surface and wider path at a family event organised by the charity Sustrans on May 31, with free led walks, rides and a pedal-powered smoothie bike.

Sustrans is the UK charity which created the National Cycle Network, and owns and maintains the Spen Valley Greenway.

Sarah Bradbury, Senior project officer at Sustrans, said: “The Spen Valley Greenway is one of our most popular community routes, used by schoolchildren to get to school, people commuting to work and many local groups meet to walk, run, wheel or cycle along it.

“These improvements will help many more people use the route, particularly people with wheelchairs or buggies. The surface is smoother, wider and it’s easier to get on and off the path.”

Sustrans received funding from the Department for Transport to carry out the improvements on Spen Valley Greenway, as part of its national Paths for Everyone programme.

The Greenway was officially reopened with a free family event on May 31.

David Shepherd, Strategic Director for Growth & Regeneration at Kirklees Council, said: “These upgrades to the Spen Valley Greenway provide a safe and enjoyable route to help even more people make the shift to more sustainable and active forms of transport.”

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “This event was a great way to showcase the work that has been done to make this route more accessible for everyone and enjoy the local scenery.”