Golden Acre Park

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Tue 28 Aug, 2012 3:18 pm

Jogon wrote: Leo, v helpful ta.Collapsed is the sluice under the dam head path.Your photo shows the 2nd bridge under the bridle way to King Ln, Ridley Causey, aka Bartle's Road.Best tread carefully on that too. Would like to know from an engineering view what made it fail? Cheers Jogon.It is worrying as to why it collapsed, particularly because it is used by many people. It is chance that the collapse did not occur when someone was going over it. I wonder when was the last time that water flowed out of the lake under that bridge? I have been at GAP when the lake is very high but I cannot recall ever seeing water running away there, though it must presumably have done so in the past. Incidentally, near that bridge just in GAP from the access/egress from Bartles Lane there is an easily missed ordnance survey bench mark on a stone pillar.

jim · Post by **jim** » Tue 28 Aug, 2012 4:50 pm

Looking at the posted pictures of the collapse, it appears to me that it did not take place due to aging or poor construction, but was caused by something heavier than the bridge was built to carry - say a motor vehicle - and that the cause is thoughtlessness.

Si · Post by Si » Tue 28 Aug, 2012 5:10 pm

Looks like that to me too, Jim.Speaking of damaged bridges, Otley Bridge has traffic lights on it at the moment, as they are working on repairs apparently caused by a head-on accident.

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Tue 28 Aug, 2012 8:31 pm

Jogon wrote: Leo, v helpful ta.Collapsed is the sluice under the dam head path.Your photo shows the 2nd bridge under the bridle way to King Ln, Ridley Causey, aka Bartle's Road.Best tread carefully on that too. Would like to know from an engineering view what made it fail? The supporting wooden beams have failed - they looked pretty sodden in my pics, perhaps unsurprisingly given this summers weather.That said, there should be a fairly robust inspection process / maintenance plan in place with it being on council land. It would be interesting to know when the bridge was last inspected / what the findings were, although there is every chance we'll never find out.As mentioned above, the failure could have been precipitated by something heavier than the usual (or safe) loads being driven over the bridge. Given the locations it's unlikely to be anything too nefarious as the only vehicle access would be along the footpath past the cafe / bungalow so anyone who shouldn't have been down there would presumably have been spotted. However, it's entirely possible that a works (or contractors) van could make it's way down there, although I've never seen anything like that on my many visits...Then again, the wooden beam could have simply failed - it happens and there doesn't look to be anything in place to take the load if that happens - the actual spacing of the beams suggests that there were only 2 or 3 of them supporting the stone flagged deck, which was then covered with the earthen path material. Quite some weight for a wet, possibly rotten, wooden plank. I can't recall seeing water flowing under here and the dam would have to be very near full for the water to make it's own way there. Perhaps it was an overflow in days when such things weren't so closely monitored (and has filen in over the years), or it's retained as an emergency run-off in the event of a "thousand year" flood?

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Tue 28 Aug, 2012 10:45 pm

Here's another (further down stream). Assume these to be ye old stone arch and bomb-proof? I know Land Rovers etc use this.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Mon 03 Sep, 2012 2:35 pm

For information to anyone intending to use the car park at Golden Acre Park there is a news item in the YEP today in which it states work will start on September 17 to resurface that car park and that it should be completed by September 22. There was no word though if there will still be parking available during the work.

buffaloskinner · Post by **buffaloskinner** » Mon 03 Sep, 2012 8:12 pm

For NinaHere are a few interesting videos from Golden Acre that may raise a few memories, I don’t recall anything that early!!!Make Way For The 11.69! 1935At Golden Acre Park near Leeds we see several shots of a miniature steam train taking some children and adults for a ride. Inside the covered restaurant car a waiter serves drinks to children at tables. Most of the passengers sit in open carriages at the rear.Shots of the amusement park boating lake as we travel along. We pull in at a platform where a new crowd of passengers are waiting for their ride.http://www.britishpathe.com/video/make- ... cre"CAUGHT BY THE CAMERA - NO 49" 1935L/S's and M/S's of a man riding a scale model of the liner the 'Queen Mary' on a large lake. (Golden Acre Park Leeds)M/S's of the one legged stunt diver Karlos jumping off a diving board in a large water tank in Southend, Essex. Several more shots of the diver with his fellow stunt divers performing acrobatic dives to a watching audience from a trapeze. Slow motion shot of diver jumping off the trapeze, an audience watches in the background.L/S's of policemen jumping off a large bridge on the continent. Crowds of people watch the display from the river bank. L/S of a uniformed man jumping off the bridge on fire. L/S's of a man riding off a ramp on a cycle whilst someone else is seen do the same on a motorbike.http://www.britishpathe.com/video/caugh ... -no-491937 Scenes of Golden Acre ParkShows its location and train station, with the journey to the theme park, the boating lake, Speedway, and various rides including crazy bicycles and bumper cars.http://tinyurl.com/ca4w4qy

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Mon 03 Sep, 2012 8:38 pm

Leodian wrote: For information to anyone intending to use the car park at Golden Acre Park there is a news item in the YEP today in which it states work will start on September 17 to resurface that car park and that it should be completed by September 22. There was no word though if there will still be parking available during the work. I'm guessing they'll simply close the car park whilst the works are ongoing - 'elf n safety tha knowsPerhaps once the Otley Road car park has been sorted out they will turn their attentions to the one off Arthington Lane, which is fast approaching such a state that it will soon only be accessible to 4x4 drivers.On the subject of the Otley Road car park, has anyone else noticed that the ice cream van (which I seem to recall comes from the Calder Valley somewhere - another wonder of competitive tendering) has often been absent this summer?

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Sun 09 Sep, 2012 6:58 pm

Two weeks down the line and the bridge is still out. No signs of any work at all, save putting up a couple of barriers. And a bit of "Police" tape.Series of pics here: http://flic.kr/p/d8GJPh

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Tue 11 Sep, 2012 3:47 pm

Cue soothing music:-Have you been affected by a bridge collapse at a beauty spot that wasn't your fault? Etc