A NETWORK of task forces has been set up to tackle problems with footpaths in North Yorkshire.

The county has frequently come under fire from the Ramblers' Association (RA) for the state of its many miles of paths and bridleways.

The organisation has claim-ed the county is the worst in the country for obstructions and blockages and estimates there is a problem in every mile.

But yesterday conciliation was in the air as they launched a task force to work with the county council to tackle the problems as they find them.

Volunteers will cover the Yorkshire Dales and Richmondshire area and complete a network that also includes task forces in Harrogate, Ripon, Lower Wharfedale, York and Craven.

The move comes in the wake of a meeting last month when the council affirmed its commitment to clearing illegal blockages and obstructions.

A Ramblers' Association spokesman said the meeting with the council had been "upbeat" and there was now real progress towards solving the county's footpath problems.

He added: "There was a consensus that, rather than spending time and money on diversions, efforts should be directed towards clearing obstructions."

The authority has a legal duty to keep the rights of way in its area clear and the association's volunteers will be working with council officials to unblock paths.

One task force volunteer, Jack Cowen, said yesterday: "I think North Yorkshire has some of the best countryside in Britain.

"And I'm delighted our new voluntary group will be helping staff fulfil the council's stated wish to get this wonderful network clear for people to enjoy."

The county council's director of environmental services, Mike Moore, said: "We are pleased to be working in partnership with the RA to improve the footpath network in this beautiful county."

As well as constantly monitoring the state of footpaths and bridleways, the task forces will be doing physical work including replacing styles, waymarking and clearing undergrowth