News

Subsequent to the Trust statement of 24 December 2021 the developer has now indicated that the works to the canal swing bridge have been delayed possibly for several months.

Currently the Trust has no detailed information about the reason for the delay but has been assured that the developer is preparing a revised proposal.  The Trust is working closely with local councillors, Leeds City Council planning officers and Yorkshire Water to ensure rapid progress is made to protect the interests of the Reserve, its users and local communities.

The Sunday opening will continue for a trial period with access via the canal towpath.

The Trust will continue to post information as soon as it becomes available.

Rodley Nature Reserve Trust, 11 April 2022

The Reserve has been closed to the public to permit works to the canal swing bridge to proceed safely and with respect for residents.

It is now possible to re-open on Sundays 9.00am until 5pm from 3rd April for a trial period.

Until the bridge works are complete, access is restricted to CANAL TOWPATH USERS.

Trustees request that visitors take special care in parking, whether in Ross Mills, Rodley or Newlay, so as not to cause any inconvenience to residents.

We look forward to seeing you back.

Rodley Nature Reserve Trust

The proposed development of the derelict Airedale Mills site adjoining the access to the Reserve will involve the replacement of the old canal swing bridge together with additional road works to the approach on Moss Bridge Road.  Outline planning permission has already been granted and the development is now planned to go ahead in the new year.

The developer has assessed that this could take up to 5 months and during this period there will be no access for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians over the canal and the Trust has no option but to close the Reserve to the public after Sunday 2nd January.  The  closure period is uncertain and will depend on weather conditions and how work progresses – information about a reopening date will be posted on the website and social media as soon as it is known.

Trustees are aware of the importance of the Reserve to both wildlife and the community and will strive to minimise the duration of the closure.

The Trust regrets the necessity for the closure but looks forward to welcoming back our many visitors, migrant birds, butterflies and moths in the spring of 2022.

Rodley Nature Reserve Trust

24 December 2021

Restrictions are being relaxed

 As from Saturday 26th June the Reserve will operate as follows –

OPENING TIMES –

SATURDAY, SUNDAY and WEDNESDAY  9am UNTIL 5pm

 All the following facilities will be available –

• Visitor Centre – 10am until 4pm – no internal seating and subject to volunteer availability
• Toilets
• Hides
• Supervised Pond Dipping – please refer to website/social media for details.
• Car Parks

Visitors must continue to observe Government advice regarding social distancing and face coverings, particularly when entering viewing hides.

Specific HIDE RULES will apply and will be posted at each hide entrance. 

 We ask our visitors to be considerate and allow each other the time and space to enjoy the Reserve.

 Rodley Nature Reserve Trust

19 June 2021

Restrictions are to continue

 The Trust has reviewed the current situation and for the time being the restrictions detailed in Statement 11 will continue.  Should the situation continue to improve the Trust will plan towards a safe easing of restrictions at Step 4 from 23rd June.

OPENING TIMES WILL CONTINUE AS FOLLOWS –

 WEDNESDAY and SATURDAY 1pm UNTIL 5pm

Please note the Visitor Centre will close at 4.30pm

OPEN –      Visitor Centre (sales from the door)

Toilets

Viewing Screens

Car Parks

CLOSED –  Enclosed Hides

Pond Dipping

Visitors must continue to observe Government advice  –

 SOCIAL DISTANCING MUST BE APPLIED AT ALL TIMES

 WEAR FACE COVERINGS WHERE SOCIAL DISTANCING MAY BE DIFFICULT AND WHERE YOU MAY COME INTO CONTACT WITH PEOPLE OUTSIDE YOUR GROUP.

 We ask our visitors to be considerate and allow each other the time and space to enjoy the Reserve.

 Rodley Nature Reserve Trust

18th May 2021

Revised Restrictions

Following further advice from DEFRA received via the RSPB  it will not now be possible to open viewing  hides as previously planned. The Visitor Centre (sales from the door only) will, however,  reopen as planned from WEDNESDAY 14 APRIL.  This is in addition to previously opened facilities.

The Trust apologises for this late change to the easing of restrictions.

 OPENING TIMES WILL CONTINUE AS FOLLOWS –

 WEDNESDAY and SATURDAY 1pm UNTIL 5pm

Please note the Visitor Centre will close at 4.30pm

 Pond Dipping activities will remain closed.

The safety of our visitors and volunteers remains paramount and the Trust will keep the situation under continuous review and should the situation change it may be necessary to consider further appropriate measures.

 Visitors must continue to observe Government advice  –

 SOCIAL DISTANCING MUST BE APPLIED AT ALL TIMES

 WEAR FACE COVERINGS WHERE SOCIAL DISTANCING MAY BE DIFFICULT AND WHERE YOU MAY COME INTO CONTACT WITH PEOPLE OUTSIDE YOUR GROUP.

  We ask our visitors to be considerate and allow each other the time and space to enjoy the Reserve.

 Rodley Nature Reserve Trust

11th April 2021

Digging the Lagoon in 1999

28th July 2020 is an important date in this year’s calendar as it marks the 20th anniversary of the official opening of Rodley Nature Reserve. It’s hard to imagine that not much more than a year before the official opening our four main wetland areas were just rough grassland. So much has been achieved since then.

Sadly, due to Covid-19 we are unable to celebrate the anniversary as we would have wished but there is something to look forward to this autumn – a new fully illustrated book entitled “Rodley Nature Reserve” – The First Twenty Years” which explains how the Reserve was created and how it has developed over this time.

Cancellation of School Visits

With the continuing restrictions on movements and social contact together with the uncertainty about the  opening and operation of schools it has been necessary to cancel all school visits to the Reserve at least until the end of May.

The position with visits planned for June and July will be reviewed subsequent to any further developments and Government advice on the coronavirus situation – please check the website for updates.

Please follow Government advice, stay at home, keep safe, protect the NHS and save lives.