REGENERATION
Embankment Walking Route
The embankment has long been a popular walking destination for villagers and was once featured on the East Riding of Yorkshire website as a circular walk. Unfortunately, access is often lost due to overgrowth, and in this case, the Parish Council advises that the route is no longer fully accessible. The dangers associated with the overgrown access and the main road, where fast traffic poses significant risks to pedestrians have made the walk untenable as a circular route.
Source Search for East Riding of Yorkshire Walking Routes
Many village residents enjoy walking, often with dogs, along the disused railway line West Embankment. As the West was the only one of the two sections that was passable. It was enhanced by local children and their parents under the ‘Lifestyle’ project, organised by Humberside Police. They created a garden area with a bench and flower bed, and a viewpoint by clearing small trees and bushes, allowing bird boxes and feeders to be installed.
The Village 5-Year Plan
The 2020 Middleton the Wolds Community Parish Plan, which included a 5-year plan, was initiated by the Parish Council and chaired by John Eastwood. The feedback collected provided the seeds for forming a community volunteer group to look after the green spaces in the village. Respondents felt that nature was important and enjoyed walking on the old railway line. They felt safe in the village and reiterated that Middleton on the Wolds was a friendly and pleasant place to live.
In 2020 nature was a significant topic of discussion, with a desire for more trees, bat and bird boxes, and greater use of the old railway line East embankment for preservation and recreation. Action points from this report included:
- Establishing a village ‘Community Nature Group’ to coordinate and implement various green and wildlife projects within the village, such as tree planting and the siting of bird and bat boxes, and to raise funds for these projects.
- Building upon the ‘Lifestyle’ project along the railway line to provide and maintain bird food.
- Further developing the disused railway line and providing dog walks for our four-legged friends (and their owners).
- Encouraging wildflower planting on our verges and open spaces.
- Actively protecting and, where necessary, applying for preservation orders on village trees that come under threat from individuals or land development plans.
Establishment and Mission
This initiative was finally established in 2021 by dedicated volunteers as the Middleton on the Wolds Green Group. Their mission is to enhance and maintain the green spaces in Middleton on the Wolds (YO25). Since that date the Parish Council formally lease the embankment land from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, with the Green Group maintaining it and significantly improving access to the once impassable eastern section.
Middleton has significant bird and animal wildlife, including migrant birds, birds of prey, and even Red Kites. Bats are encouraged by the installation of boxes around the farms, and hedgehogs are supported by local residents.
After the Covid-19 lockdown, when all villagers were confined to the village, people began to see the benefits of the work as they used the old path on the disused railway line East embankment for exercise. It was noticed that the brambles and nettles were no longer taking over!
Ongoing Efforts
Since then, volunteers have worked together every Thursday, and many Saturdays to make the disused railway line accessible in both directions. The Eastern Embankment was the hardest to clear due to its uneven surface, but older residents encouraged us by sharing memories of walking there as children.
To enjoy the changes and regeneration to the East and West embankment from your own home these videos are very insightful WHAT REMAINS: Driffield to Selby Disused railway part 4 Bainton to Middleton on the Wolds and WHAT REMAINS: Driffield to Selby Disused Railway Part 5 Middleton on the Wolds to Enthorpe (almost!)
Source Green Group Volunteers 2021 to 2024
Source Google Map 2021
The regeneration of the old railway line as a permitted footpath has involved clearing land and making space for new plants and trees to emerge. We have increased biodiversity along the route and established multiple benches for local residents to sit and enjoy the peaceful views.
Written by M. Gillum
June 2025
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