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Spring 2023 Newsletter
I hope this newsletter finds you well and preparing to enjoy the spring weather which is hopefully just around the corner. Although a bit longer than usual, we have some important news to share, so please stick with it!
The stepping stones – to cross or not to cross?
If you have been tempted by the recent dry period and resultant low river level to try and cross the
stepping stones to walk into the Nidderdale AONB, you may well have been thwarted. Winter
storms have dislodged a stepping stone near the north bank meaning most people will find the stones impossible to cross without risk of getting wet feet, slipping or worse. Although the BBA reported the missing stone to Bradford Council as soon as the problem was discovered, it may take a while for the Highways Team to rectify the problem given the unpredictable nature of working in the river at this time of the year (or indeed any time of the year!). We’ll keep pressing for the repair, but until we have a bridge we envisage this will carry on being a regular problem.
Good attendance for BBA consultation event
Thank you to everyone who attended our pre-planning consultation event at Burley Parish Rooms on 11 November. 81 people attended and met with bridge engineers and designers from GHD and Bowman Riley to find out more about the current bridge design. More than 50 people filled in feedback forms, of whom 70% said they were in favour of the bridge.
Burley Parish Council survey
Following a letter received by the Parish Council from a village resident querying whether the Council remained in favour of a bridge, councillors decided to instigate a survey to ask residents whether they supported a bridge or not. Forms were inserted into the printed Parish Council newsletter distributed to each household, as well as being available to collect at Burley Library, the Queens Hall and the Christmas Lights event. Responses could also be submitted by email. The result from the 850 forms received revealed two-thirds to one-third against a bridge. Although this was a disappointing result for the BBA, the legitimacy of the survey has been questioned by many people given the risk of multiple entries being returned. It was also unclear whether people were voting against the current single tower design or the overall concept of the bridge.
The topic was discussed at the subsequent Parish Council meeting on 12 January attended by both supporters and objectors to the bridge. The flaws in the survey process were acknowledged. Additionally, the Parish Council agreed unanimously to continue their support for the bridge, whilst confirming that it was the responsibility of the BBA to pursue the planning application and seek funding. This continues the position previously held by the Parish Council and indeed by predecessor councils going back 125 years. It was also reaffirmed in the 2018 Neighbourhood Plan where the bridge had been identified as one of the key priorities.
Next steps for the BBA and the bridge
Trustees have been carefully considering how to interpret the results of the survey as well as the position being taken by the Parish Council, particularly on whether to proceed with the current planning application which is almost ready for submission. Whether or not the results can be relied upon as an indication of the degree of community support for the bridge, there is clearly a negative body of opinion in Burley beyond the traditional objections raised by nearby residents. What is unclear is how many people have concerns about the current design as opposed to the overall concept. We are aware for instance that the large scale of the single tower structure has been off-putting for some people, who would prefer a simpler and more traditional looking bridge or who feel the attractiveness of the site would be compromised. However, the compelling reasons for the GHD design remain valid: reducing visual and environmental impact on the north bank, as well as the engineering necessities of addressing the wide span of the river and the Environment Agency height requirements to cope with flood levels and climate change. The attractive views of Burley Weir and the moors behind, arguably the best features of the site, would also not be compromised by the bridge – and in fact would allow more people to access them!
So, after careful reflection of all the options available to us, trustees and committee members have decided to proceed with the planning application for the current design. All the necessary surveys have been completed, and of course the application process includes opportunity for community comment as well as consultation with a wide range of bodies including Burley Parish Council. We will inform members and supporters as soon as the application goes live and will be encouraging as many people as possible to contribute their views. This may be the last opportunity for a generation or more to influence whether Burley gets a bridge or not, so our view is - let’s go for it!
River level survey shows when the stepping stones can be crossed
For those people fit and able to cross the stepping stones (and we are aware of many people in Burley for whom this is a challenge too far), there is also the reality that high water levels throughout the year still makes this an impracticable and/or an unsafe option. Up to now though, we have not had a way of determining when the stones are able to be crossed or indeed what proportion of the year they are inaccessible as a public right of way.
A comprehensive study undertaken by John Kelly, a resident of the village who runs the ‘Happy Hiker’ walkers website, has analysed river level data in Ilkley and has arrived at some very helpful and interesting conclusions. After comparing the height of the river in Ilkley with a visual assessment of the stones in Burley, he concluded that when the river in Ilkley is .17metres high, then the stones are fully exposed across the width of the river – and safe to cross. Using 2021 as a benchmark year, the study showed that the stones were uncovered for approximately 30% of the time. John has widely publicised his findings locally, and we hope this will help prospective walkers on the north bank help plan their trips.
River levels can be accessed at https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/station/8106. Of course, walkers should still treat this information with caution if planning a route on the north bank, given how fast the river can rise in a very short time. For anyone interested in the detail of the study, John has put his findings in a report and spreadsheet which can be seen via https://bit.ly/3YUjJDa
Yorkshire Heritage Way
Sales of the route guide have sold well since the launch in May last year and now total more than 650. If any member or supporter would like to buy a copy at the special price of £5.00, then please get in touch. It will be delivered free in the Burley area, otherwise post and packing is £1.65. Although there have been enquiries about repeating the four-day walk of the route, the committee has decided this would be best organised next year, perhaps as part of a fundraising initiative. The very attractive stage four of the route from Thruscross to Brimham Rocks will however be walked as part of the Burley Summer Festival this year, with transport to and from the start and finish points provided by Ilkley Community Transport. Full details of how to book will be available on our website nearer the time, as well as from the Burley Summer Festival website.
Rambles from Askwith walks leaflet
Burley Walkers are Welcome hope to publish their latest ‘Rambles’ leaflet this spring which will detail five circular walks from Askwith. The leaflet will be priced at £1.50 and available from all the usual outlets in Burley and neighbouring communities.
Membership subs and donations
If you’ve managed to read this far, you will have noted that we will be shortly proceeding with our planning applications as planned, despite recent setbacks It would, therefore, be very helpful indeed if members paying annual subs could do so promptly this year. Any donations will also be very gratefully received so that the BBA is able to meet all its financial obligations involved with the planning process.
Trustees and committee members do appreciate that the financial support provided by members and supporters over the years has so far not led to spades in the grounds. It has been a long, complicated and expensive process to get to this point, nonetheless many seemingly impossible obstacles have been successfully overcome. This may well be our final attempt to achieve a bridge for Burley, and trustees are prepared to give it their best shot. If you are able to assist us at this crucial time, it will be much appreciated.
Please get in touch if you have any queries about the content of the newsletter or about the campaign. It also goes without saying that anyone interested in becoming a trustee would be made very welcome!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I hope this newsletter finds you well and preparing to enjoy the spring weather which is hopefully just around the corner. Although a bit longer than usual, we have some important news to share, so please stick with it!
The stepping stones – to cross or not to cross?
If you have been tempted by the recent dry period and resultant low river level to try and cross the
stepping stones to walk into the Nidderdale AONB, you may well have been thwarted. Winter
storms have dislodged a stepping stone near the north bank meaning most people will find the stones impossible to cross without risk of getting wet feet, slipping or worse. Although the BBA reported the missing stone to Bradford Council as soon as the problem was discovered, it may take a while for the Highways Team to rectify the problem given the unpredictable nature of working in the river at this time of the year (or indeed any time of the year!). We’ll keep pressing for the repair, but until we have a bridge we envisage this will carry on being a regular problem.
Good attendance for BBA consultation event
Thank you to everyone who attended our pre-planning consultation event at Burley Parish Rooms on 11 November. 81 people attended and met with bridge engineers and designers from GHD and Bowman Riley to find out more about the current bridge design. More than 50 people filled in feedback forms, of whom 70% said they were in favour of the bridge.
Burley Parish Council survey
Following a letter received by the Parish Council from a village resident querying whether the Council remained in favour of a bridge, councillors decided to instigate a survey to ask residents whether they supported a bridge or not. Forms were inserted into the printed Parish Council newsletter distributed to each household, as well as being available to collect at Burley Library, the Queens Hall and the Christmas Lights event. Responses could also be submitted by email. The result from the 850 forms received revealed two-thirds to one-third against a bridge. Although this was a disappointing result for the BBA, the legitimacy of the survey has been questioned by many people given the risk of multiple entries being returned. It was also unclear whether people were voting against the current single tower design or the overall concept of the bridge.
The topic was discussed at the subsequent Parish Council meeting on 12 January attended by both supporters and objectors to the bridge. The flaws in the survey process were acknowledged. Additionally, the Parish Council agreed unanimously to continue their support for the bridge, whilst confirming that it was the responsibility of the BBA to pursue the planning application and seek funding. This continues the position previously held by the Parish Council and indeed by predecessor councils going back 125 years. It was also reaffirmed in the 2018 Neighbourhood Plan where the bridge had been identified as one of the key priorities.
Next steps for the BBA and the bridge
Trustees have been carefully considering how to interpret the results of the survey as well as the position being taken by the Parish Council, particularly on whether to proceed with the current planning application which is almost ready for submission. Whether or not the results can be relied upon as an indication of the degree of community support for the bridge, there is clearly a negative body of opinion in Burley beyond the traditional objections raised by nearby residents. What is unclear is how many people have concerns about the current design as opposed to the overall concept. We are aware for instance that the large scale of the single tower structure has been off-putting for some people, who would prefer a simpler and more traditional looking bridge or who feel the attractiveness of the site would be compromised. However, the compelling reasons for the GHD design remain valid: reducing visual and environmental impact on the north bank, as well as the engineering necessities of addressing the wide span of the river and the Environment Agency height requirements to cope with flood levels and climate change. The attractive views of Burley Weir and the moors behind, arguably the best features of the site, would also not be compromised by the bridge – and in fact would allow more people to access them!
So, after careful reflection of all the options available to us, trustees and committee members have decided to proceed with the planning application for the current design. All the necessary surveys have been completed, and of course the application process includes opportunity for community comment as well as consultation with a wide range of bodies including Burley Parish Council. We will inform members and supporters as soon as the application goes live and will be encouraging as many people as possible to contribute their views. This may be the last opportunity for a generation or more to influence whether Burley gets a bridge or not, so our view is - let’s go for it!
River level survey shows when the stepping stones can be crossed
For those people fit and able to cross the stepping stones (and we are aware of many people in Burley for whom this is a challenge too far), there is also the reality that high water levels throughout the year still makes this an impracticable and/or an unsafe option. Up to now though, we have not had a way of determining when the stones are able to be crossed or indeed what proportion of the year they are inaccessible as a public right of way.
A comprehensive study undertaken by John Kelly, a resident of the village who runs the ‘Happy Hiker’ walkers website, has analysed river level data in Ilkley and has arrived at some very helpful and interesting conclusions. After comparing the height of the river in Ilkley with a visual assessment of the stones in Burley, he concluded that when the river in Ilkley is .17metres high, then the stones are fully exposed across the width of the river – and safe to cross. Using 2021 as a benchmark year, the study showed that the stones were uncovered for approximately 30% of the time. John has widely publicised his findings locally, and we hope this will help prospective walkers on the north bank help plan their trips.
River levels can be accessed at https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/station/8106. Of course, walkers should still treat this information with caution if planning a route on the north bank, given how fast the river can rise in a very short time. For anyone interested in the detail of the study, John has put his findings in a report and spreadsheet which can be seen via https://bit.ly/3YUjJDa
Yorkshire Heritage Way
Sales of the route guide have sold well since the launch in May last year and now total more than 650. If any member or supporter would like to buy a copy at the special price of £5.00, then please get in touch. It will be delivered free in the Burley area, otherwise post and packing is £1.65. Although there have been enquiries about repeating the four-day walk of the route, the committee has decided this would be best organised next year, perhaps as part of a fundraising initiative. The very attractive stage four of the route from Thruscross to Brimham Rocks will however be walked as part of the Burley Summer Festival this year, with transport to and from the start and finish points provided by Ilkley Community Transport. Full details of how to book will be available on our website nearer the time, as well as from the Burley Summer Festival website.
Rambles from Askwith walks leaflet
Burley Walkers are Welcome hope to publish their latest ‘Rambles’ leaflet this spring which will detail five circular walks from Askwith. The leaflet will be priced at £1.50 and available from all the usual outlets in Burley and neighbouring communities.
Membership subs and donations
If you’ve managed to read this far, you will have noted that we will be shortly proceeding with our planning applications as planned, despite recent setbacks It would, therefore, be very helpful indeed if members paying annual subs could do so promptly this year. Any donations will also be very gratefully received so that the BBA is able to meet all its financial obligations involved with the planning process.
Trustees and committee members do appreciate that the financial support provided by members and supporters over the years has so far not led to spades in the grounds. It has been a long, complicated and expensive process to get to this point, nonetheless many seemingly impossible obstacles have been successfully overcome. This may well be our final attempt to achieve a bridge for Burley, and trustees are prepared to give it their best shot. If you are able to assist us at this crucial time, it will be much appreciated.
Please get in touch if you have any queries about the content of the newsletter or about the campaign. It also goes without saying that anyone interested in becoming a trustee would be made very welcome!
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© The Burley Bridge Association 2015. The Burley Bridge Association is a charity registered in England and Wales (1163568)
