A SATISFATORY outcome of work planned to improve access at Dales beauty spot Janet's Foss, near Malham, is expected following meetings between interested parties.

Last week the Herald reported that work had started at the top of the waterfall to improve access, but local resident Stuart Gledhill had been horrified to see posts drilled into the limestone pavement.

The work was instigated by the National Trust to allow a safer viewpoint from the top of the foss for disabled visitors.

Mr Gledhill contacted the National Trust, which owns the land, and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

The work was stopped and meetings were held last week to look at a way forward upon which everyone could agree.

The national park authority said it wanted to ensure the special interest of the area was maintained while continuing to look at ways to make it accessible for more visitors.

A spokesman for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority said: "Malham is a very popular site with visitors to the Yorkshire Dales and over the years we've worked closely with the National Trust and others to improve access to some of the more popular features such as the Cove and Gordale Scar.

"This project is about making the viewpoint at Janet's Foss more accessible to those with limited mobility but obviously we're aware of the need to protect the sensitive qualities of this special landscape when undertaking any such works.

"Martin Davies from the National Trust and Catriona Kilner, the Area Ranger for Malhamdale have held a meeting with residents and we are now fully aware of their concerns.

"In the light of these, we have agreed to look again at access opportunities across the whole area and we'll be seeking advice from Open Country - an access charity which advises on safe access to the country for people with disabilities - with whom we have worked before.

"We'll then report back to residents on how we intend to proceed."

Following the meeting, Mr Gledhill told the Herald: "We all agreed that, in principle, we are coming from the same standpoint.

"We don't want to spoil the area, but I think coming away from this meeting, the bone of contention is going to be what would be accept-able in terms of fences and paths etc, if any."

No further work will be carried out until another meeting has been arranged to include representatives from Open Country.