PEOPLE are being urged to have their say on plans to build a footbridge over the River Wharfe at Burley-in-Wharfedale as the consultation period nears its end.

The formal deadline for public contributions to the planning application consultation is Friday, and the Burley Bridge Association is urging anyone who has not already done so to register their views.

Many letters and emails have been sent to the Bradford and Harrogate council websites, says the association, and the topic has generated great interest in the local area.

The open sessions arranged by the Burley Bridge Association were busy. The association says they were generally supportive of its plans for the footbridge.

These would provide for a bridge across the River Wharfe at Leather Bank on the route of the public right of way allowing people to cross from Burley into North Yorkshire.

West Riding Anglers, which owns the river bed, weir and sporting rights for the site of the bridge, is among those who have objected.

They have highlighted concerns about silt disturbance, which they fear could seriously affect fishing downstream, as well as the stability of the bridge.

Other objectors are concerned the bridge would destroy the view, and cause ‘unwanted’ extra road and foot traffic.

Comments can be made to Bradford Council online at bradford.gov.uk.