Walkers who enjoy the Nidderdale way and residents of Darley can once again cross Darley Beck after North Yorkshire County Council salvaged and repaired the footbridge which was swept downstream in flash floods in May.
The bridge reopened for pedestrian traffic yesterday after the county council restored the bridge to its concrete foundations and replaced the smashed handrail and support timbers.
County council ranger Nicky Bunting said that the unseasonably wet weather had hampered the bridge’s restoration by subsequently bringing down a tree that had blocked the beck. The fallen tree had now been removed and repairs completed.
County councillor Chris Metcalfe said:
We are delighted we have been able to salvage the bridge and return it to working order. This is a very popular footpath that is part of the Nidderdale way and well used by local dog walkers so we have made every effort to carry out the repairs as quickly as possible.
