CONTROVERSIAL proposals in Gargrave which could see a 50 metre long bridge across the River Aire between Middle and Low Green, a car park and picnic area, have met with a storm of protest from residents against the scheme.

On Wednesday afternoon around 300 members of the community, both adults and children, met on Middle Green near the historic stepping stones at the site of the planned bridge. They carried placards citing their determination not to allow the bridge to go ahead.

Banners had been made by the children of the village who marched around the green in front of television cameras.

They demanded the bridge be banned and called for more to be done instead for the youngsters in the village - it is understood that the youth club in Gargrave has been closed with youngsters having to go to Flasby, approximately one-and-a-half miles away.

Last week the Herald unveiled the proposals with a few villagers complaining that they had gone ahead without proper consultation - the application has been lodged with Craven District Council's planning committee - and the idea was a waste of time and money.

Many were also surprised to see plans for a car parking and picnic area, feeling it would be intrusive for those houses nearest the green and the river.

"Once permission has been granted for parking for 12 cars there would be nothing to stop them putting another application in for 24 cars," added Moreen Baines. "There will also be more litter."

"The coming millennium is meant to be a celebration for village people. What has happened now is that there are all these protests. It's not going to be a celebration anymore," said resident Gordon Tilburn. Neither he nor his wife were aware of a survey which was said to have been circulated through the village in 1997, asking for opinions on the bridge and other possible suggestions.

The cost of the project - rumoured to be in the region of £60,000 to £90,000 - was a major issue with many wondering where the money could come from to pay for it, though it is understood that millennium and lottery grants are to be applied for.

"What the village wants is a library, we certainly don't need two bridges within five minutes of each other," exclaimed Audrey Allen.

Many also feared for the wildlife in the area and the effect such a major construction would have on the environment.

"Grebes and kingfishers occupy the river here as well as herons," added Mrs Allen. "Before we know it there will be ice cream vans and fast food outlets parked here."

Parish council chairman Jack Maud said the reaction was a frenzy feeding upon a frenzy, and fears had been blown out of all proportion.

"People have got mixed up. At the moment it is just a scheme. Definite plans for a bridge have not been finalised and there are no definite design details. All the council has done is send out a survey to determine people's wishes for the millennium.

"We then agreed for sketches of the proposed bridge by an architect to be submitted to the planning and ground survey stage at Craven District Council. This would confirm whether the ground would be suitable for foundations."

Mr Maud added that nothing had been done behind anyone's back. It was a millennium project and would not go ahead if sufficient funding could not be found.

He replied to Reg Goodfellow's suggestion in last week's Herald that a clapper bridge be erected over the stepping stones.

"I actually met with Graham Leighton of the Environment Agency earlier this year and put that suggestion to him.

"He said today's regulations meant such a structure would have to have hand rails. And because it would be below the water line during a flood the rails would become entangled with debris."

A meeting to discuss the proposals has been arranged in the village hall on Saturday morning from 9am to 1pm.

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