Could new rules end the car 'carnage' and allow Rufford Ford to reopen?

NEW rules for YouTubers could be brought in to avoid a return to “complete carnage” at a Nottinghamshire ford closed years ago by police.

- By OLIVER PRIDMORE

One of the leading YouTube users who had been filming at Rufford Ford believes simpler solutions are available, but agrees the area cannot become the “circus” it was as authorities consider reopening it.

The historic ford was regularly attended by Nottinghamshire Police in 2022 as attempted crossings were made when water levels were too high. The site attracted huge attention on platforms such as YouTube and drew in crowds from across the country, with some claiming there were several “near-misses” due to the numbers gathered at the mouth of the ford.

The crossing has been closed since December 2022 and concrete barriers were placed at either side of it as a temporary measure while a review was carried out.

Nottinghamshire County Council then said in February 2024 that its preferred option would be a permanent closure of the site, which is near Ollerton.

A consultation carried out with local residents ended in March 2024, yet no final decision has ever been confirmed.

The last Conservative administration at the county council said just before elections in May that reopening the ford remained an option.

With Reform UK having now taken control of the council, the Post understands that the new administration are considering all options and a decision could be announced in days.

Johno Lee is the Conservative county councillor for Balderton, near Newark, and says many of his constituents have been affected by the closure of Rufford Ford. But Councillor Lee says the ford can only reopen if new safety measures are put in place, with possibilities even including electric bollards that would come up when water levels were too high.

Councillor Lee said: "I had a meeting with the leader of the council a few weeks ago because I had heard that there was an intention of reopening it and I'm majorly worried about it, because I saw the complete carnage towards the end.