Public invited to comment on modified plans for a bridge over the River Wharfe in Burley-in-Wharfedale

The drop-in event at St. Mary’s Parish Rooms on Station Road in Burley-in-Wharfedale is being held on Friday, November 11 from 2.30pm to 7pm.

Members of the design team and Burley Bridge Association trustees will be on hand to answer questions about the latest designs for the bridge and plans for its construction.

The new bridge design from the north bank

David Asher, Secretary of the Burley Bridge Association said: "Volunteers have been distributing leaflets and invitations to the consultation drop-in to all households in the village over the past week.

"We hope the session will give an opportunity for anyone interested in the plans or who may be affected, to come and see for themselves what the bridge will look like and discuss any concerns they may have, before we submit our application to renew planning consent.

"Our engineers, GHD, have modified the previous design for a two tower suspension bridge so that it now has a single tower, constructed on the south bank. This reduces visual and environmental impact on the north bank of the river, and is a simpler bridge to build.

"We have also reached agreement with West Yorkshire Police on the measures that need to be built into the design to deter anti-social behaviour taking place on the bridge.

"After some 120 years of effort by different groups of Burley residents and by local councils to get a footbridge across the river, we hope we are getting close to the time when it can be finally realised.

"Once we have renewed planning consent, we will then be embarking on a major fundraising exercise with a view towards construction between 2025 and 2027."

Details of the campaign for a safe crossing of the River Wharfe in Burley in Wharfedale can be found at www.burleybridge.com, or contact the group via burleybridge@gmail.com, Facebook @burleybridgeassoc or Twitter @burleybridge.