Tadcaster Bridge a 'lifeline' to the town's residents

When Tadcaster Bridge collapsed during the devastating floods of December 2015 the town was cut in two. Fast forward nine years and residents are still at the mercy of the weather, with rising river levels prompting frequent closures.

Despite a recent change to the height the water must hit before the crossing is shut, those living in the town told the BBC the fear of being divided remains.

"It's a worrying thing this bridge," says Ruth Pearson.

The 101-year-old lives on the eastern side of the River Wharfe, her family live on the opposite bank.

"That bridge, you close it and you're separating a whole village of people. It's ridiculous."

Her daughters, Ruby Jones and Elizabeth Pearce, regularly visit their mum, using the18th Century bridge to make the short journey across the river.

But in 2023, the 300-year-old crossing was closed five times in the space of three months, turning the brief walk into a 16-mile round trip by car.

"It's awful, because you do feel helpless. There's nothing we can do in a hurry," says Elizabeth.

Ruth Pearson lives on the opposite side of the River Wharfe to her two daughters

Since it reopened in 2017, after a £4.4m restoration project, the bridge has had to close during bad weather due to safety concerns.

Until recently North Yorkshire Council would shut the bridge when the river hit approximately 2.42m (7ft 9in) but now, following an engineering inspection, the bridge can stay open until levels reach 2.8m (9ft 1in).

"You don't realise how much you rely on that connection", says Tadcaster councillor Kirsty Poskitt.

"It's not just a bridge to us, it's our lifeline in the town.

"Tadcaster's a really linear town so there's no other way around.

Kirsty Poskitt said the bridge was a "lifeline" for the town

When the bridge is closed it causes "panic" for Ruby, who puts plans in place to check on her mum.

"I panic immediately because I know she's going to worry," she says.

"I would never have moved over to the side of Tad while she's alive if that had become an issue a year ago. It would have been like moving to another town altogether."

While Ruby's concerns remain, the council hope the recent change will mean the fewer closures in the future.

Speaking earlier this month council leader Carl Les said he hoped the change would come as "welcome news", adding that closures were only put in place "when absolutely necessary".

Reflecting on the changes to life in Tadcaster, Kirsty said the town would just have to get used to "a new normal".

"I know that's not necessarily what people want to hear but the world is changing and things that are impacting globally are impacting us here, so we do just have to get used to what will be normal for us."