As we begin to emerge from a long winter and an even longer period of relative hibernation due to Covid-19, I hope this newsletter finds you well. There are some important updates to inform members and supporters about.
New planning application
Although we had hoped to renew our previous planning permission for the bridge in the autumn last year by a simple Reserved Matters application to Bradford and Harrogate Councils, this was not possible in the end. The change of design from two towers to a single tower on the south bank was deemed to be too significant a change by Harrogate, so the application was withdrawn. We are now at an advanced stage in preparing for a new full planning application, with most surveys completed or about to be undertaken. We plan to hold a public consultation event in Burley before the application is submitted in order to provide an opportunity for members of the public to see the plans and images of the bridge. This will also provide an opportunity for the design and engineering team to discuss any concerns there might be about the project and receive feedback. Notice of the consultation event will be sent out in due course, and we hope that as many members and supporters will come and meet the team and have their say! We will also send you details when the formal planning public consultation period starts.
New planning application
Although we had hoped to renew our previous planning permission for the bridge in the autumn last year by a simple Reserved Matters application to Bradford and Harrogate Councils, this was not possible in the end. The change of design from two towers to a single tower on the south bank was deemed to be too significant a change by Harrogate, so the application was withdrawn. We are now at an advanced stage in preparing for a new full planning application, with most surveys completed or about to be undertaken. We plan to hold a public consultation event in Burley before the application is submitted in order to provide an opportunity for members of the public to see the plans and images of the bridge. This will also provide an opportunity for the design and engineering team to discuss any concerns there might be about the project and receive feedback. Notice of the consultation event will be sent out in due course, and we hope that as many members and supporters will come and meet the team and have their say! We will also send you details when the formal planning public consultation period starts.
Yorkshire Heritage Way launch at Bradford Cathedral
As reported in the last newsletter, we decided last year to press ahead in developing a new 42 mile recreational trail to link Bradford and Ripon, the Yorkshire Heritage Way. The launch of the trail and the 60 route guide will take place at Bradford Cathedral, on Friday 29 April between 9.00am and 10.00. BBA members and supporters are warmly invited to attend this historic occasion. A four day walk of the trail will begin immediately after the launch, finishing at Ripon Cathedral on Monday 2 May (a bank holiday). Walkers can do one or more of the five stages, and transport will be available
from Burley Station, for a small cost, to bring walkers to and from finishing and starting points of Stages 3 to 5 on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
The inaugural walk itinerary is:
Stage 1 Friday 29 April: 10.00 depart from Bradford Cathedral to Saltaire (4.5 miles)
Stage 2 Friday 29 April: 1.00 depart from Roberts Park, Shipley to Burley (8.5 miles)
Stage 3 Saturday 30 April: 10.00 depart from Burley Station to Thruscross (10 miles)
Stage 4 Sunday 1 May: 10.00 depart from Thruscross to Brimham Rocks (9 miles)
Stage 5 Monday 2 May: 10.00 depart from Brimham Rocks to Ripon (10 miles)
If you would like to secure a place on the walk to include transport, you will need to register a place by sending names and phone numbers to [email protected].
A 60 page illustrated route guide with Ordnance Survey maps will shortly be printed and launched at the Bradford Cathedral event. Costing £5.99, it will be available at bookshops in Ilkley and Otley, at Ripon and Bradford Cathedrals, and at a number of outlets in Burley. We hope it will also be possible to order a copy shortly via our website but you can request an early copy now by sending an email to [email protected]. A small postage and packing charge will apply. The route guide will be similar to the 6 Dales Trail and the Welcome Way booklets, both of which have proved very successful.
We hope you like the trail logo designed by Justin Leeming of Smallprint, Menston. It is based on the 13th Century Butterton Bridge near Sawley, which the route crosses on the final stage to Ripon. It was built by Fountains Abbey monks on one of the many routes to their granges and farms. Trustees felt it was an appropriate image to use, given the large number of bridges crossed by the Yorkshire Heritage Way, and the symbolic bridging between urban Bradford District and rural North Yorkshire. There is also the important matter of a missing bridge of course…..
Can I take the opportunity to thank our long term BBA member John Sparshatt for all the help he has given to this project to enable it to come to fruition, along with co-editors Antonia Woosnam-Savage, our Ramblers Lower Wharfedale representative, and our Chairperson Peter Bayer. Peter helped devise the route in the first place, working with the late Colin Newton and the late Peter Young.
Subscriptions
It’s that time of the year again when we alert members and supporters that their annual subscriptions are now due. A form is attached. Even more important than usual, income from subscriptions will contribute to the costs linked to the planning application that will shortly be made. We have had to renew a number of surveys as part of the application, and Environment Agency requirements have had to be updated. We are unable to undertake further fundraising until we have secured planning consent, so it is critical that this is gained at the earliest opportunity to enable the project to move forward. Your subscription renewal will be very much appreciated!
AGM 2021
Thank you to everyone who came to our delayed AGM at Burley Library in August. Our speakers were Steve Dickie from GHD and April Marsden from Bowman Riley. Plans and images of the revised design of the bridge were shared and there was a constructive and informative discussion about next steps.
As reported in the last newsletter, we decided last year to press ahead in developing a new 42 mile recreational trail to link Bradford and Ripon, the Yorkshire Heritage Way. The launch of the trail and the 60 route guide will take place at Bradford Cathedral, on Friday 29 April between 9.00am and 10.00. BBA members and supporters are warmly invited to attend this historic occasion. A four day walk of the trail will begin immediately after the launch, finishing at Ripon Cathedral on Monday 2 May (a bank holiday). Walkers can do one or more of the five stages, and transport will be available
from Burley Station, for a small cost, to bring walkers to and from finishing and starting points of Stages 3 to 5 on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
The inaugural walk itinerary is:
Stage 1 Friday 29 April: 10.00 depart from Bradford Cathedral to Saltaire (4.5 miles)
Stage 2 Friday 29 April: 1.00 depart from Roberts Park, Shipley to Burley (8.5 miles)
Stage 3 Saturday 30 April: 10.00 depart from Burley Station to Thruscross (10 miles)
Stage 4 Sunday 1 May: 10.00 depart from Thruscross to Brimham Rocks (9 miles)
Stage 5 Monday 2 May: 10.00 depart from Brimham Rocks to Ripon (10 miles)
If you would like to secure a place on the walk to include transport, you will need to register a place by sending names and phone numbers to [email protected].
A 60 page illustrated route guide with Ordnance Survey maps will shortly be printed and launched at the Bradford Cathedral event. Costing £5.99, it will be available at bookshops in Ilkley and Otley, at Ripon and Bradford Cathedrals, and at a number of outlets in Burley. We hope it will also be possible to order a copy shortly via our website but you can request an early copy now by sending an email to [email protected]. A small postage and packing charge will apply. The route guide will be similar to the 6 Dales Trail and the Welcome Way booklets, both of which have proved very successful.
We hope you like the trail logo designed by Justin Leeming of Smallprint, Menston. It is based on the 13th Century Butterton Bridge near Sawley, which the route crosses on the final stage to Ripon. It was built by Fountains Abbey monks on one of the many routes to their granges and farms. Trustees felt it was an appropriate image to use, given the large number of bridges crossed by the Yorkshire Heritage Way, and the symbolic bridging between urban Bradford District and rural North Yorkshire. There is also the important matter of a missing bridge of course…..
Can I take the opportunity to thank our long term BBA member John Sparshatt for all the help he has given to this project to enable it to come to fruition, along with co-editors Antonia Woosnam-Savage, our Ramblers Lower Wharfedale representative, and our Chairperson Peter Bayer. Peter helped devise the route in the first place, working with the late Colin Newton and the late Peter Young.
Subscriptions
It’s that time of the year again when we alert members and supporters that their annual subscriptions are now due. A form is attached. Even more important than usual, income from subscriptions will contribute to the costs linked to the planning application that will shortly be made. We have had to renew a number of surveys as part of the application, and Environment Agency requirements have had to be updated. We are unable to undertake further fundraising until we have secured planning consent, so it is critical that this is gained at the earliest opportunity to enable the project to move forward. Your subscription renewal will be very much appreciated!
AGM 2021
Thank you to everyone who came to our delayed AGM at Burley Library in August. Our speakers were Steve Dickie from GHD and April Marsden from Bowman Riley. Plans and images of the revised design of the bridge were shared and there was a constructive and informative discussion about next steps.
Burley Bridge Bookstall
It was good to see so many members and supporter turn out to our bookstall at the Burley Christmas Lights Craft Fair at the Queens Hall at the end of November. This was arranged at very short notice due to the last minute cancellation of the outdoor Christmas Market at which we normally have a stall. We had a comprehensive range of local walking books available and made 44 sales with income of more than £50 to the BBA after costs were deducted. We are grateful to Baildon, Otley and Burley Walkers are Welcome groups, Chris Crogan from Skyware Press and to our President Colin Speakman for providing so many books and leaflets. Images of the new bridge design were also displayed and brought appreciation and praise from all who stopped to talk.
David Asher, Secretary,
4 Southfield Road, Burley in Wharfedale, LS29 7PA Tel: 01943 862965 / 07551 959494
It was good to see so many members and supporter turn out to our bookstall at the Burley Christmas Lights Craft Fair at the Queens Hall at the end of November. This was arranged at very short notice due to the last minute cancellation of the outdoor Christmas Market at which we normally have a stall. We had a comprehensive range of local walking books available and made 44 sales with income of more than £50 to the BBA after costs were deducted. We are grateful to Baildon, Otley and Burley Walkers are Welcome groups, Chris Crogan from Skyware Press and to our President Colin Speakman for providing so many books and leaflets. Images of the new bridge design were also displayed and brought appreciation and praise from all who stopped to talk.
David Asher, Secretary,
4 Southfield Road, Burley in Wharfedale, LS29 7PA Tel: 01943 862965 / 07551 959494
© The Burley Bridge Association 2015. The Burley Bridge Association is a charity registered in England and Wales (1163568)
