Community Volunteers Breathe New Life into Keighley’s Cat Steps

A volunteer action day on 10th March marked the launch of a new community project to transform a well-used public right of way in Keighley. The project brings together local partners, schools and artists to promote active travel and green spaces.

The JU:MP programme is funding a series of environmental and community improvements around the Cat Steps on Fell Lane, Keighley. This is a public right of way linking the Guard House and Fell Lane areas of West Keighley.

The project, which has grown through the JU:MP action group meetings, aims to highlight a clear active travel route while supporting our neighbourhood action plan’s ambitions.

More than 15 volunteers came together to make the Cat Steps safer and more accessible. The group filled an impressive 42 bags of litter, scraped mud from the steps and removed dead hedging. The day marked not just a physical transformation, but the beginning of a broader community movement to reclaim and celebrate this much-loved local space.

Upcoming improvements and activities include the installation of new railings and a stone bench, further volunteer action days, and a programme of walking and play activities open to the wider community.

One of the most exciting elements is a school project, which will see local children work alongside artists to creatively explore the space. It will allow them using their imagination to develop a walking trail guide that will help others appreciate and enjoy being active in this beautiful green space.

Active Bradford/British Triathlon Swim Bike Run Connector Rachel Pilling said:

“It was great to be involved with such a wonderful volunteer action day that has already made a huge difference to The Cat Steps footpath and surrounding area. This marks the beginning of an exciting collaborative project that will involve local schools and the community – helping them feel more positive about the green and blue space that is on their doorstep and offering many opportunities to use the space to be physically active over the coming months and into the future. I can’t wait to see how the project develops! This initial day of action has already proved how fantastic it is when people come together to make positive change.”

Partners involved in the delivery of Keighley’s Cat Steps include Keighley Town Council, Bradford Council, Get Out More, River Worth Friends, In Communities, Photo Hub North and Word Up North.