ONE of Settle's most historic walkways, highlighted in the town guide as a place to search out, is becoming a no-go area for the elderly and those with pushchairs.

But plans for North Yorkshire County Council to spend £30,000 to make the unadopted walkway safe are progressing slowly.

Bishopdale Court, behind the Naked Man Café, is home to one of the town's oldest buildings - Bishopdale House.

The property, dated 1620, is owned by Ann Sadaghiani who runs an antiques business there.

She has been at Bishopdale House for around five years and, after becoming concerned about the state of the ancient cobbles which line the walkway, gained support from nearby residents to seek help to get them replaced.

However, progress has been slow and she fears funding which was promised three years ago may be used elsewhere.

"The cobbles really are becoming dangerous," she said.

"Someone fell last year and you see people walking down here very gingerly. We just want to get them made safe and are getting fed up of waiting."

Mrs Sadaghiani first approached North Yorkshire County Council's Heritage and Environment department four years ago. A promise of £30,000 in grant aid from a buildings and conservation scheme running at the time was made and the money set aside.

However, despite promises that the work was going to be done, nothing has happened and Mrs Sadaghiani is now concerned the plans will be shelved.

"It has all got very complicated, even though we have seen plans drawn up and the residents here agreed to them.

"We don't know what is happening, whether the money is still available or whether the cost of the work will have gone up in that time," she added.

She even had Skipton MP David Curry look into the issue.

"I think even Mr Curry has got fed up with it all now. No-one seems to be able to say what is happening," she added.

The agreed plans involve taking up the cobbles and relaying them with flags to create a pathway suitable for wheelchair access.

"It would look different, but would look good and enhance the area," said Mrs Sadaghiani.

"Up until last year we were the first house in the town guide for people to come and see. It is one of the oldest properties in the town, older even than the Folly.

"The town council has tried to help. Coun Donny Whaites has taken photographs of the cobbles and sent them to the Heritage Department, but still nothing seems to be happening and I can't seem to be able to get through to speak to anyone about it," she added.

This week, Bob Sydes, heritage manager for the county council, told the Craven Herald that the money for the work at Bishopdale Court was still there, but there had been a sticking point with English Heritage which was not completely happy with the plans.

"English Heritage agrees that something should be done, but are a little unsure about the plans we put in. They have suggested we contact an independent conservation consultant to seek further opinion," said Mr Sydes.

"Further plans will then be drawn up for the residents to see and, if agreed, the work will be put out to tender. It is only then that we will know the real cost of the job."

Mr Sydes added that as a local authority, it was North Yorkshire County Council's responsibility to ensure the heritage and conservation aspect of an area was not spoiled.

"It has to be done right and although the scheme has been very stop and start' over the past four years, it is still progressing slowly.

"We hope to be in a position to move forward on this in a couple of months' time," he said.