Flood-damaged bridge in use again

A WELL-TRODDEN footpath in the Yorkshire Dales National Park has re-opened after repairs were carried out to a bridge which was nearly destroyed by floods.

Heavy rain virtually demolished one support of the bridge, which takes the Langthwaite-Reeth footpath across Slei Gill in Arkengarthdale.

The damage left it in a dangerous state and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority – which maintains more than 800 bridges on behalf of county councils – voted in September last year to close the footpath each side of it.

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However, with the help of Dales Volunteers, Ragged Robins Rangers and national park apprentice James Firth, the support has been rebuilt and the bridge is being used by walkers.

Ian Broadwith, the authority's area ranger for Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, said: "The previous support was more or less completely undercut during one night's heavy rain, causing it to slip into the river and leaving the existing bridge twisted and in mid-air.

"It is fantastic that, with the help of volunteers and with the cooperation of the land owner, we have managed to salvage the existing bridge. It was a real team effort and I'd like to thank everyone who helped."