There are no Stepping Stones at Burley in Wharfedale

2004-06-28T07:31:00.000-07:00

When BurBriAss put forward initial plans I visited the Hydro engineer/architect dealing with it’s design. We had a long discussion about the Wharfe’s geological history and suitability of placing a bridge near the present structure. He was very open with his information which I later checked. So why the Ramblers, with their supposed vast knowledge, are continually taken in by BurBriAss is beyond belief. There are no stepping stones at Burley. There has never been stepping stones at Burley. If that doesn’t bring folk to their senses then a visit to Bradford’s Legal Department/Archives show in black and white. There ARE NO STEPPING STONES at Burley.

The stones at Burley, as distinct from Ben Rhydding, are part of a current control barrier. Installed and improved across three centuries. Three Centuries mark you. To minimise damage to river bed and banks by the influx of water when dam boards were dropped. The area behind the control barrier forms a swirl pool to lessen much of this force. While the stones redirect the under current away from neighbouring banks. This is the reason the stones are layed flat and not upright. All very simple if you understand what you are talking about. Another point, residents will remember the large tree which became stuck on the dam in the late 1990’s. Would the bridge and dam be strong enough to withstand the weight of flood water plus wayward timber travelling at speed? Somehow I think not. Neither would residents of Manor Park if their river frontage dropped considerably.

By all means build your bridge if you really have to but not on top of a Mill Dam with dubious foundations. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing as too is badly produced propaganda.

For the last time.

There ARE NO STEPPING STONES at Burley.

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There are no Stepping Stones at Burley in Wharfedale