Residents fear a flood of problems if ford reopens

RIVER CROSSING MADE FAMOUS BY YOUTUBE WAS CLOSED OVER SAFETY CONCERNS AND REPORTS OF ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

- By OLIVER PRIDMORE

PEOPLE living near a notorious ford say they are “not putting up with it” if the site’s reopening leads to a return of the antisocial behaviour that forced its closure several years ago.

One of those campaigning against the reopening of Rufford Ford, which is now possible this year, says a serious accident or the return of antisocial behaviour means the site would “have” to be shut again within six months.

The Rufford Lane ford has been closed since December 2022 at the request of Nottinghamshire Police after it became an internet sensation due to YouTubers filming people making failed crossings when water levels were too high.

Crowds from across the country then began gathering at weekends to see vehicles splashing through the ford and, given the high speeds of many drivers, there were a number of reported “near misses” at the site.

Antisocial behaviour reports in the area included residents being threatened and verbally abused by tourists at the ford and people deliberately trying to dam the river to increase the ford’s water level.

“Even the police and the fire service were threatened,’ said John Goldsbrough, who has lived in Rufford Lane for 20 years. “I stand back and think ‘what's going on in the world?”

The closure was initially a temporary measure and the previous Conservative administration at Nottinghamshire County Council were months away from making it permanent. But in the May 2025 election, Reform UK took control of the authority and its new leader said he was “sure” there would be a resolution to reopen the ford this year.

“They'll be opening the ford, the problems will return)’ says Jonathan Ball, a Rufford Lane resident of 30 years.

The 60-year-old said: “I know in six months’ time there will either be somebody who has been killed at the ford or they'll have to close it because of the antisocial behaviour.