Social & Special Interest Groups
Save Our Stones
For over 100 years all attempts to build a bridge across the river Wharfe at Burley have failed. There is no likely prospect of a bridge being constructed. However there is already a legally recognised Right Of Way across stones which were originally installed below the weir to control water flows. Over the years, the condition of The Stones has steadily deteriorated.
Even at very low water levels, some of the stones remain submerged, as shown in this picture. The sunken/eroded stones are indicated by the yellow arrows. The white arrow shows where a missing stone has been replaced by a boulder.
The aim of the Save Our Stones campaign is to have this Right Of Way restored to the point where at lower water levels, all the stones have their heads above water so that walkers from Burley can enjoy access to the footpath network to the north of the river. At higher water levels, the stones will of course be submerged and a crossing should not be attempted.
Maintenance of this legally recognised Right Of Way is the responsibility of Bradford Council and pressure needs to be brought to ensure they meet their obligations.
Please visit the website http://www.saveourstones.webs.com for much more information and register support for the campaign preferably via email to saveourstones@hotmail.co.uk or by the registration page on the website. A brief comment indicating support and confirmation if you are a Burley resident increases the weight of your support.
This Right Of Way could be lost if action is not taken. Demonstration of a strong body of local opinion is the best hope of achieving a result.