THE organisation behind York’s Gunpowder Plod event has confirmed it will pay for the clear-up of the mess left behind on Knavesmire.

Green councillor Andy D’Agorne said earlier this week that cranes used to remove temporary fencing following the Guy Fawkes fireworks event had churned up the soft ground and made big holes in the Sustrans cycle track.

He said emergency repairs had been carried out by City of York Council to fill the dangerous holes in the cycle track, but some of the rutted grass still remained. He said he would press the authority to make sure the event organisers, Rat Race Adventure Sports, paid for the repairs and restoration work.

Now Rate Race managing director Jim Mee has reiterated that, as soon as the damage to the cycle path was discovered, the firm had offered to complete the minor reinstatement works and cover the cost in full.

“Because City of York Council maintains the cycle path, the council carried out the repair work, but the cost will be covered by Rat Race,” said a spokeswoman.