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The Case for a Bridge
There is no bridge across the River Wharfe at Burley-in-Wharfedale, and the nearest bridges are the road bridges at Ben Rhydding and Otley, two and a half and three miles away respectively. The present right of way crossings of the River Wharfe at Burley-in-Wharfedale are at Greenholme Farm, Leather Bank. These consist of of stepping stones for walkers and an adjacent bridleway ford. The stepping stones are nearly always fully submerged from autumn to spring, and frequently partially or fully submerged during the summer months. Effectively there is no reliable route for walkers and runners for most of the year. During 2008 it is believed that the stepping stones were submerged for the whole twelve months. Furthermore, the River Wharfe, with a catchment area in the Pennine hills, often rises quickly without warning. This can present a hazard to users who may cross the river in one direction and find their way blocked on their return. Lack of maintenance of the stepping stones from the 1990s led to a number of gaps thus making the crossing virtually impassable without wading. This eventually led to the 'Save our Stones' campaign being initiated by concerned residents in 2009. Repairs were eventually completed by Bradford Council in June 2013. |
Repaired stepping stones in 2016
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The Nidderdale AONB supports the case for a bridge at Burley. It is noted that in an AONB the demand for recreation should be met as far as this is consistent with the conservation of natural beauty and the needs of agriculture, forestry and other uses. (Countryside Agency 2001). The successful planning applications in 2015 and 2018 highlighted the growing demand for recreation in the Nidderdale AONB and confirmed that this did not affect the needs of agriculture.
The Ramblers' Association, the applicant for the first planning application for the bridge in the 1990s, is a charity (Reg 1093577), and one of its charitable objects is the protection of the countryside. The RA continues to be a strong supporter of the project.
The need for a crossing over the River Wharfe in the locality of Burley-in-Wharfedale is mentioned in the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) of both Bradford MDC and North Yorkshire CC. The ROWIP for Bradford MDC states: 3.9.4, A major cross-boundary issue is the crossing of the River Wharfe at Burley-in-Wharfedale. Again, this links in to cross-border issues with regard to high density settlements on the Bradford side and a lack of connection in some cases on the NYCC side. This is particularly highlighted at the Burley crossing which involves several complex issues. It is also specified in the ROWIP ACTION PLAN (Chapter 6). Large scale projects beyond the scope the scope of current LTP allocation. DETAIL: New bridge across the Wharfe at Burley. This requires cross county boundary working with North Yorkshire and fund raising by the Ramblers' Association.
The ROWIP for North Yorkshire County Council states: (Appendix A - 1.3.15 Southern Pennines) Main Issues and Opportunities: The high potential demand for access to North Yorkshire from neighbourhood urban fringes and other populated areas of West Yorkshire. This demand is expressed by the wish for more river crossing points such as at Burley-in-Wharfedale, the cost of a bridge here would be in the order of half a million pounds at the county boundary with Bradford and would provide a strategic route into the Nidderdale AONB.
Athletic clubs and groups in the Wharfedale Valley indicate that many of their members would use a bridge in order to access the many running routes on the north bank of the Wharfe. There is also the potential for opening up more competitive routes away from the over-used moorland routes over Ilkley and Burley Moors, for instance Ultra Marathons.
© The Burley Bridge Association 2015. The Burley Bridge Association is a charity registered in England and Wales (1163568).
The Ramblers' Association, the applicant for the first planning application for the bridge in the 1990s, is a charity (Reg 1093577), and one of its charitable objects is the protection of the countryside. The RA continues to be a strong supporter of the project.
The need for a crossing over the River Wharfe in the locality of Burley-in-Wharfedale is mentioned in the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) of both Bradford MDC and North Yorkshire CC. The ROWIP for Bradford MDC states: 3.9.4, A major cross-boundary issue is the crossing of the River Wharfe at Burley-in-Wharfedale. Again, this links in to cross-border issues with regard to high density settlements on the Bradford side and a lack of connection in some cases on the NYCC side. This is particularly highlighted at the Burley crossing which involves several complex issues. It is also specified in the ROWIP ACTION PLAN (Chapter 6). Large scale projects beyond the scope the scope of current LTP allocation. DETAIL: New bridge across the Wharfe at Burley. This requires cross county boundary working with North Yorkshire and fund raising by the Ramblers' Association.
The ROWIP for North Yorkshire County Council states: (Appendix A - 1.3.15 Southern Pennines) Main Issues and Opportunities: The high potential demand for access to North Yorkshire from neighbourhood urban fringes and other populated areas of West Yorkshire. This demand is expressed by the wish for more river crossing points such as at Burley-in-Wharfedale, the cost of a bridge here would be in the order of half a million pounds at the county boundary with Bradford and would provide a strategic route into the Nidderdale AONB.
Athletic clubs and groups in the Wharfedale Valley indicate that many of their members would use a bridge in order to access the many running routes on the north bank of the Wharfe. There is also the potential for opening up more competitive routes away from the over-used moorland routes over Ilkley and Burley Moors, for instance Ultra Marathons.
© The Burley Bridge Association 2015. The Burley Bridge Association is a charity registered in England and Wales (1163568).
© The Burley Bridge Association 2015. The Burley Bridge Association is a charity registered in England and Wales (1163568)
