‘No Safe way’ to reopen infamous Rufford Ford?

PEOPLE living near a ford famous for videos of vehicles splashing through it fear their road becoming a “death trap” again if it reopens.

- By OLIVER PRIDMORE

Nottinghamshire County Council is still considering what to do about Rufford Ford, closed in December 2022 at the request of Nottinghamshire Police due to safety fears.

The previous Conservative county council administration was months away from recommending a permanent closure of the ford.

But after Reform UK took control of the authority, there are suggestions that options to reopen it are being considered.

The council is due to present a final report for a decision on its future in the autumn and, before that, those living near it have questioned whether there is any safe way to reopen it.

Failed attempts at crossing Rufford Ford when water levels were too high became an internet sensation and crowds from all over the country gathered at weekends to see vehicles splashing through, with “near-misses” reported there.

People living along Rufford Lane say that, as well as the ford itself becoming dangerous, acts of aggression and drug use were among the issues they witnessed as a result of the crowds.

Tensions heightened to such an extent that most residents did not want to be named for fear of “repercussions” from those who want the ford back open.