A group of teenagers currently taking part in Reds in the Community’s NCS (National Citizen Service) programme have been on a clean-up mission in Stairfoot, helping to improve the Trans Pennine Trail for all of its users.

Working alongside the local council and Twiggs Ground Maintenance, the participants from Wave Four have enabled the trail near Stairfoot roundabout to be accessible once again.

The Trans Pennine Trail provides a picturesque walking and biking route in the Barnsley area.

Alongside this, it also provides a safe pathway for primary school children and other local residents above the busy roads near Stairfoot roundabout.

In recent times however, the path has become overgrown with nettles, making it hazardous for all users.

Having recognised this issue, the young people cleared the path with the help of Twiggs before planting flowers to help bring some colour to the Trans Pennine Trail.

Connor Scarfe, one of the NCS participants who has carried out this fantastic work at Stairfoot, spoke to Reds in the Community to give a further insight into the social action project.

He said: “A lot of people use it on a day-to-day basis. We decided to clear it up so it’s more accessible to local residents. I think it’ll make a huge difference. Instead of using this path, they [school children] have been crossing a busy road.

“We’ve had a large number of people come up to us and say how much of a good job we’ve been doing. We’re looking to continue it in the future as well. We don’t want it to get back to what it was like before. We want to keep it up and keep developing it.

“For me, it’s my favourite part of the programme. Last week, we were planning and organising it. To see something that you’ve thought actually done is a rewarding experience.”

The Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) is an exciting route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders linking the North and Irish seas, passing through the Pennines, alongside rivers and canals and through some of the most historic towns and cities in the North of England.