COUNCILLORS in Darton have called for a land owner to reverse a ‘baffling’ decision which has halted plans for a new active travel route.

Residents have been waiting for the new walking and cycling route on the site of the old railway line that used to run from Darton to the former North Gawber Colliery.

Barnsley Council had been making good progress on the project but have learnt recently that a section of the route - owned by CISWO - is no longer to be made available for the route.

The section of land lies between Spark Lane and the new housing estate built on the former colliery site.

Darton East ward councillors wrote to CISWO director Becky Rose to understand the decision and call for a re-think.

CISWO, the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation, is a charity that works to ’improve lives and reduce disadvantage in coal -mining communities’.

Coun Dickie Denton told the Chronicle: “I am baffled by CISWO’s decision not to allow this land to be used for cycling and walking.

“Active Ttravel is proven to improve physical and mental health and at the same time has huge environmental benefits.”

Coun Leyla Nayeri added: “CISWO’s decision flies in the face of its own objective to provide land for the well-being of former mining communities.

“This project will improve well-being yet they won’t allow it to be used for this purpose.

“I am calling for CISWO to reverse their decision.”

Councillors have already written to CISWO director Becky Rose to call for a rethink.

She replied: “Whilst we recognise the positive incentives for the active travel routes project, CISWO has a responsibility to protect and preserve the land which it holds the Freehold of as charitable and community resources.

“As such, we would not wish to create any additional rights over this land which could have a detrimental effect on what is charitable land.”