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Bilton Beck Bridge – Victim of the November Gales

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The Bilton Beck Bridge spanning the Bilton Beck in Nidd Gorge was built by the Nidd Gorge Project; managed by Harrogate Borough Council/Countryside Commission from 1983 – 1992. The bridge was constructed in 1985 and stood until 14/11/2015 when the combination of a fallen cherry tree and flooding destroyed it. Between 1990 and 2015 we made several running repairs to hand rails and decking. The bridge had a span of 4.5m, width 1m, and 1m hand rail. Inspection of the underside has revealed that the underpinning was rotting badly and it had probably reached the end of its’ working life. We are grateful to the WT for cutting up the tree and we hope to get the debris removed when the weather permits. Meanwhile NYCC has closed the Public Right Of Way on safety grounds and we are in discussion with them on the best way of re-instating a bridge over the beck. The site is taped off and we hope walkers will avoid this hazard until further notice.