Community volunteers have blitzed part of the Upper Don Trail that was blighted by fly-tipping and litter.
Around 25 people gave up their time to clean up the riverside along Club Mill Road at Neepsend.
They recovered a huge pile of litter and fly-tipped rubbish between Hillfoot bridge and the Old Park silver mill.
Their haul included three settees, a mattress, parts of several cars, carpets and bags of clothes.
Joanne Lee, of Loxley and Wisewood Litter Pickers, organised the clean-up on Saturday June 12th.
The Loxley and Wisewood group turned out in force. They were joined by volunteers from other Sheffield litter picker groups.
The Blue Loop Troop and members of the Upper Don Trail Trust also turned out to help transform the grot spot.
Arthurs Skips from nearby Neepsend Lane provided a sponsored skip and Amey collected bags of litter.
‘Beautiful but forgotten part of the river’
Simon Ogden, chair of the Upper Don Trail Trust, said numerous walkers and cyclists welcomed the clean-up as they passed by.
“Hopefully this marks the start of more long term steps toward restoring and opening up this beautiful but rather forgotten and much abused part of the river,” said Simon.
Joanne Lee said it was a great few hours work that made a real impact.
“The people I spoke to said it was a lovely group and they’d enjoyed meeting everyone and finding out more about the area,” said Joanne.
“Quite a few had no idea they could get to this stretch of riverside.
“It’s such a special place down there – the view up the river in that section where the trees open out is just beautiful.”
The Trust and the litter picking groups are now planning further community clean-ups along this “forgotten” stretch of riverside.
