According to BBC.com the ‘bridge and medieval gateway’ at Walton Hall (a proposed UNESCO World Heritage site), near Wakefield, have been added to Historic Englands ‘at risk register’.
I am assuming the reference refers to the Milton Ironworks bridge that connects to the island on the lake and the Water Gate. However, looking at the ‘at risk register’ itself it suggests that it is only ‘The Watergate’ that is in danger; the entry states:
‘The arch is in poor condition and a heavy growth of ivy conceals much of the structure from view. The bridge, which forms part of the Scheduling, is not at risk.’
‘The Watergate’ is all that remains of the original building on the island on which the hall now stands.
Walton Hall is famous as the residence of naturalist and explorer Charles Waterton who made the surrounding estate into the world’s first nature reserve. Waterton was a pioneer in the field of conservation and was a hero of both naturalist Charles Darwin and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough.
The Water Gate is an important local structure of national and international interest due to its association with Charles Waterton. If it is indeed in danger then it should be urgently repaired.
cjknowles1972 