A POPULAR walk around Swinsty reservoir will reopen to the public three months early today (Friday 8 April) after the completion of essential safety works.

The crest road around the reservoir's east bank was closed so that Yorkshire Water and their contractors, Mott MacDonald and Bentley, could carry out improvements to the spillway – the overflow structure that is used to control flows downstream. It helps the reservoir deal with heavy rainfall and reduces the likelihood of flooding.

As part of the work, the water company raised the crest road bridge by more than a metre and increased the height of the spillway wall, to allow higher flows of water to pass under the bridge and down the spillway to the river.

Alastair Harvey, lead recreation advisor at Yorkshire Water, said: “Swinsty is one of our most popular reservoir sites, so it’s fantastic to have the full circular route open once again. We’re grateful for the patience of our visitors and local residents whilst the work took place.”