It’s been more than two and a half years since Nottinghamshire County Council closed Rufford Ford.
The decision came after the ford went viral online, drawing large crowds and causing disruption. Concrete barriers were installed in December 2022 to block vehicles.
While the closure brought relief to Rufford locals tired of noise and congestion, residents in nearby Ollerton say they’ve been left dealing with the consequences.
With Rufford Lane blocked, drivers quickly began using smaller residential roads as cut-throughs. Bescar Lane, once a quiet single-track road used mainly by farm vehicles, has become a busy shortcut.
“It was quite sudden,” said Chrissy Homer of Kingstone Drive. “Just after the closure, people were constantly stopping to ask if this was the way to the golf club. Now cars race down here at full speed.”
Her neighbour Liz Phillips, who has lived on Tor Lane for 10 years, says the traffic has changed the character of the area. “We moved here because it was quiet. Now it’s so noisy we’re actually thinking of moving.”
The problem extends beyond Bescar Lane. Station Road, another narrow route through Ollerton, is also being used as a diversion. Residents there report aggressive driving and even confrontations.
“I’ve had to call the police twice because drivers were squaring up in the road,” said 69-year-old Rob Lilley. “I’m expecting a car through my living room window at this rate. The closure was like a sledgehammer to crack a nut.”
Pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders who once enjoyed the quiet lanes say they now feel unsafe. “I walked down Bescar Lane on Saturday morning and eight cars passed me—only one slowed down,” said Chrissy. “Cyclists have had to jump into hedges to let cars by.”
Angela Williams, who has lived on Bescar Lane since 2005, says courtesy is the main issue. “It’s not that cars shouldn’t use the road, but drivers need to be respectful. I fear house prices will fall if this continues. Closing the ford felt like a knee-jerk reaction.”
Residents say options such as warning signs, reduced speed limits, or “access only” restrictions could ease the pressure. Many also believe reopening the ford, with safety measures in place, would be the best solution.
“The ford is part of my childhood memories,” said Liz. “We’d come to watch cars go through. I don’t see why it had to close just because some people misjudged it.”
Nottinghamshire County Council said: “Since the consultation on the permanent closure, the Council has been carefully considering the responses received. A report is expected in the autumn on the future arrangements for Rufford Ford.”
