Environment Secretary Steve Barclay is being called on to speed up repairs to a length of riverside footpath in Ripon.

A section of the path that runs from Borrage Green Lane to High Cleugh is in danger of collapsing into the River Skell and has been blocked off with six foot high fencing at either end.

Parts of the path on the popular riverside route have been undercut by high and fast-running waters caused by higher than average rainfall.

Councillor Andrew Williams near the affected part of the path that has been fenced off.

Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams, who also represents the Minster and Moorside division on North Yorkshire Council, told members at Monday night’s full meeting:

“A long section of path is in a dangerous state and is currently not safe to use, so the North Yorkshire rights of way team has made it as safe as possible.

“They have also agreed to repair the path, but will only be able to do this when they have a permit from the Environment Agency to go into the river to carry out the work.”

The recently-repaired wooden bridge over the Skell is part of the popular route.

Members agreed to Cllr Williams’ proposal to call on Mr Barclay and Ripon’s MP Julian Smith to intervene on the city’s behalf to ensure the Environment Agency issues the permit as soon as possible, so repairs can be carried out when  the river drops to a safe level.

Cllr Pauline McHardy, who seconded the proposal, said:

“This footpath is supposed to be accessible to wheelchair users and families with prams and buggies and we need to ensure that it is returned to a condition that enables it to be enjoyed by everyone.”

A car that was overcome by deep water in a Ripon ford is still “parked” in the middle of the river three days later, and it remains unclear who will remove it, or when. 

The owner of the vehicle, whose identity is unknown to the Stray Ferret, has not yet “rescued” his car, and neither the police, the council nor the Environment Agency are taking responsibility for its removal.

As we reported on Wednesday, a man had to be helped onto dry land by members of the public on Tuesday night after his car – a Ford Focus hatchback – glugged to a halt while crossing the River Skell, which was swollen by heavy rain brought by Storm Henk. 

The police and a fire crew were called, the driver checked over, and the ford and footbridge closed off for the public’s safety. 

Now that the waters have receded, the car needs to be removed, but when or by whom that will be done is not yet known. 

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police, who told us: 

“Abandoned vehicles are the responsibility of local authorities.” 

So we then approached North Yorkshire Council, but a spokesperson told us: 

“North Yorkshire Council wouldn’t recover the vehicle. The owner/driver would be advised to contact a recovery organisation who have the necessary vehicles to help with this type of recovery.” 

They also said: 

“The Environment Agency is responsible for the ford/river so they would be best placed to answer the questions raised.” 

So the Stray Ferret asked the Environment Agency about the fate of the car, and a spokesperson told us: 

“We are not responsible for the Ford at Firs Avenue, nor the water-level boards. 

“We urge the public to avoid driving through floodwater, as it takes only 30cm of water to float your car”. 

In the meantime, the recent spell of drier weather has seen all flood warnings – meaning “Flooding is expected: act now” – removed from rivers across the district. 

However, flood alerts – meaning “Flooding is possible: be prepared” – are still place on the River Ure and its tributaries between Masham and Boroughbridge, including the rivers Burn, Laver and Skell. 

Little or no rain is expected across the district well into next week, according to Met Office forecasts, and the next winter storm, Storm Isha, has not yet formed. 

The ford at Firs Avenue is usually easily crossable, but in heavy rain can quickly become impassable. In September, two people had to be rescued from a Fiat that entered the river from Priest Lane and got stuck in the ford.

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Police and firefighters were called to Ripon last night when a vehicle got stuck in floodwater in a ford across the River Skell.

The ford at Firs Avenue is notoriously difficult to cross when water levels are high.

The Stray Ferret reported in September that a Fiat had to be towed out.

Now another vehicle — ironically a Ford — has also encountered difficulties. It was still awaiting recovery this morning.

The car awaiting rescue this morning.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 6.21pm to a similar incident.

Its incident report said a single vehicle had become stuck in floodwater after attempting to cross the ford.

“On the arrival of crews, the driver of the vehicle had been assisted out of the water by a member of the public.

“The driver was checked over by police officers and given advice.

“Crews closed off the ford and footbridge with assistance from the police.”

The footbridge was closed following the incident.

The Met Office forecasts a drier day today but flood warnings remain in place for Boroughbridge camping and caravanning site on the River Ure, Swinney Beck at Masham and the the River Nidd at Hunsingore. Flood warnings indicate flooding is likely.

Less severe flood alerts are active for the lower River Ure  and the lower River Nidd catchment areas.

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A riverside footpath in Ripon has been closed  for public safety after sections of supporting stonework collapsed into the fast-running Skell.

The stretch of path between Iron Bridge on Bondgate and the bridge at Bondgate Green, was deemed unsafe by North Yorkshire Council highways engineers, who assessed the damage this morning.

Part of the collapsed section of footpath

They were alerted to the collapse by Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams, who told the Stray Ferret:

“This is a popular riverside route for walkers and people exercising their dogs.

“With parts of the path in a perilous condition, the decision to close was taken until necessary repair works can be carried out. In the meantime, I would urge that members of the public obey the closure signs and do not put themselves at risk, particularly at this time when the River Skell is running so high and fast.”

A member of the highways team who assessed photographs taken at a number of locations along the path, said:

“Looking at the images it is the right decision to close the unstable footway until the stone can be retrieved from the river when levels are lower and the repairs can be undertaken.”

The path will be under regular monitoring and remain closed until the extent of repair work required has been established.

Main picture: Stonework that was supporting the footpath can be seen in the water

A Ripon fire crew rescued two people from a car that got stuck in a ford across the River Skell this afternoon.

Firefighters were summoned to the ford at the end of Firs Avenue at 4.34pm today.

A small Fiat, which was attempting to cross from the Priest Lane side of the river, was towed out.

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North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s incident report said crews rescued two people and winched the car out of the river.

Nobody was injured in the incident, which occurred after recent heavy rain saw the Skell running higher than usual.

The high water has led to red and white tape being put in place on both sides of the ford to stop vehicles from crossing.

The ford has been closed to vehicles.

Firefighters at the scene.

The Skell Valley Project is embarking on a new oral history venture featuring the experiences of people living and working in the Skell Valley.

The four-year project, led by the National Trust and Nidderdale AONB, aims to conserve, enhance and celebrate the 12 miles of the River Skell from the moorlands of Dallowgill into Ripon.

A spokesperson for the project said:

“We are looking for people to share their stories of everyday life here, whether it’s about farming or working in the valley, growing up and childhood days, memories of past generations, local characters, and some of the amazing wartime history too.

“Oral history is exactly that – talking about the past. Participants will have an informal chat with a couple of volunteers who will record stories in the comfort of their home or another convenient place.”

The £2.5 million Skell Valley Project is using funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to connect local communities with unexplored heritage on their doorstep.

The oral history is just one part of the overall project, which began in 2019 and is set to run for five years.

The spokesperson added:

“At present, we don’t have a great deal of archive information about twentieth century life in the Skell Valley which runs along the 12-mile length of the Skell River, from Dallowgill, through busy rural villages and into the city of Ripon.

“We hope that by speaking to members of the community about their lives here, we’ll be able to make sure that the rich local history of the last century is documented and can brought to life for future generations.

“We’re also looking for volunteers to help carry out oral history interviews to collect these new stories and will provide full training for anyone who is interested in taking part. If you have a passion for history and would like to help, then we’d love to hear from you.”

Anybody wanting to share their story or interested in volunteering with the project, is asked to contact Karen Collins, Skell Valley Heritage Officer, on 07816 204585, karen.collins@nationaltrust.org.uk.