{"id":877878,"date":"2026-04-07T12:02:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T12:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/877878\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T12:02:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T12:02:18","slug":"readers-letter-swing-bridge-causes-bank-holiday-delays-at-rodley-nature-reserve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/877878\/","title":{"rendered":"Reader’s letter: Swing bridge causes bank holiday delays at Rodley Nature Reserve"},"content":{"rendered":"

What a way to spend your Bank Holiday afternoon \u2013 sat waiting to exit Rodley Nature Reserve! <\/p>\n

The problems with the canal bridge continue when the busiest day of the year at the Reserve resulted in two-hour wait to exit across with the malfunction of the canal swing bridge. <\/p>\n

\"\"Photo: Kirsty McLeod<\/p>\n

Evidently the canal users were experienced boaters who had encountered this bridge before and knew how to operate but unfortunately, on this occasion encountered problems. <\/p>\n

The situation was so bad that arrangements were being made with the neighbouring farmer to exit the Reserve across his land but fortunately the bridge eventually worked much to the relief of the waiting visitors. <\/p>\n

\"\"Photo: David Nesham<\/p>\n

The Reserve has now made representations to Rodley Homes wanting to know what is going to be done to prevent this happening again. <\/p>\n

Reserve spokesman Jerry Knapp said: \u201cThank goodness it didn\u2019t happen on Sunday when we had a big event on and thank goodness no one had a heart attack. These comments are not being melodramatic but realistic.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo: Kirsty McLeod<\/p>\n

Whilst it is bad enough now the Reserve is concerned that the problems associated with the bridge will only be exacerbated when the housing development is completed and hope that the problems will now be fully appreciated and a solution found.<\/p>\n