180-year-old tree to be felled for bridge repairs

Plans to fell a 180-year-old oak to make way for a temporary footbridge are being challenged by environmental campaigners.

Leeds City Council plans to rebuild a walkway attached to the stone bridge over the River Wharfe in Otley as it has “come to the end of its life span” – but said two trees need to be removed during the process.

Campaign group Otley 2030 want the council to reconsider, and said there were other options which would not affect local wildlife.

The council said it regretted having to clear the trees, and would plant semi-mature specimens in their place once the work was completed.

The walkway was built in the 1950s as an add-on to the bridge, which dates back to the 13th Century.

Otley Bridge carries the B6451 and is a scheduled monument with legal protection. It was built in 1228 as part of a direct route to York, but rebuilt in the 18th Century.

According to the council, the pedestrian walkway needed to be demolished and replaced for public safety.

It said it had "hidden" defects and holes which were currently covered by boards.

The council said building a temporary footbridge from Wharfemeadows Park to Tittybottle Park was an alternative to putting one-way traffic lights on the current bridge while repairs are carried out.

This would cause delays to traffic, increase air pollution and could lead to people avoiding the town, a spokesperson added.

They said: “We very much regret that two mature trees will need to be removed to facilitate the installation of the temporary footbridge.

“However, following the council’s policies, semi-mature trees will be planted that equate to the carbon value of those lost once the scheme is completed.

“Vital work like this always involves disruption, and best efforts are being made to minimise this. We would like to thank everyone for their understanding whilst we do this urgent work.”

Otley 2030 said: "The oak tree has probably shaded generations of Otley residents and visitors for at least 150 years and sits in the historic Tittybottle Park in a conservation area.

"In a biodiversity and climate crisis, every action and decision has a cumulative impact."

It added: "Leeds City Council have shown disregard for their own biodiversity policies and net zero carbon plan."

Earlier this month, the group met with local residents and children along with members of Wildlife Friendly Otley and Wharfedale Naturalists, at the foot of the oak tree.

Together, they tied yellow ribbons on the tree to express the gravity of its loss.

Otley 2030 said the project has been costed at between £2-3m for a like-for-like replacement of the footbridge.

It said: "The local community has been left in the dark about whether alternative and more cost-effective options to the proposals have been properly considered."

The oak tree and a nearby tulip tree will be felled in the week beginning 2 December.

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