Plans drawn up to reopen Nottinghamshire's infamous Rufford Ford
Ideas to improve safety include traffic calming measures and flood prevention gates
People in Nottinghamshire are being invited to have their say on new plans to potentially reopen Rufford Ford to vehicles.
It became renowned for people driving through flood water there, with videos posted on social media highlighting the spot, but it was closed in 2022 due to dangerous driving.
Nottinghamshire County Council has launched a fresh consultation, with proposals including traffic calming features, flood gates and CCTV to improve safety.
The consultation runs until the end of January, and the council says it wants to hear from as many people as possible before any final decision is made.
New proposals revealed to address safety concerns
Located on Rufford Lane near Rufford Country Park, Rufford Ford was closed after police called for action to address safety concerns, citing dangerous driving and escalating issues with social media filming at the site.
The latest consultation follows an initial public feedback period held between December 2023 and March 2024, which received 219 responses, including 194 objections and 25 expressions of support. Traffic calming measures emerged as a popular alternative from objectors during the initial consultation.
The new scheme aims to ensure the ford can be reopened safely with enhanced measures in place. Nottinghamshire County Council has commissioned technical studies and considered previous feedback to develop the proposals, which include:
- Round top road humps: Three road humps, each 75mm high and spaced approximately 50m apart, will be installed on both approaches to the ford to significantly reduce traffic speeds. Round top humps are accessible for all vehicles, unlike other road features such as chicanes which can obstruct larger vehicles.
- Flood gates and electronic road signs: Waterproof gates that will close the ford automatically when water levels rise to a dangerous point, supported by electronic variable message signs positioned on surrounding routes such as the A614 and A606.
- Permanent CCTV monitoring: Installed to improve safety and support enforcement measures.
Full details of the proposed scheme are available on Nottinghamshire County Council’s consultation portal online.
Councillor Bert Bingham, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, is urging local residents to take part in the consultation:
“We are committed to finding a solution to the issues at Rufford Ford and are keen to get the views of the public on this new suggestion"
Bingham said. "I would encourage everybody to take part in this consultation and help us deliver a scheme that works for everybody."