Irish Bridge and the River Liza with Pillar in the background

October 2004
This was a picturesque place where people used to sit on the grassy river bank, have a picnic, and even enjoy a swim in the river - they can't now.

Spring 2002

September 1999

Pre July 1999

The installation of a new Irish Bridge in the Summer of 1999 unfortunately resulted in the destruction of the only good pool in the valley for swimming in. This pool was used by both visitors and locals, now there is only one place to swim; in the lake, in our drinking water.

But why were Forest Enterprise (with funding from the Environment Agency) allowed to do this?

  1. To prevent people swimming in the river Liza
  2. To make it easier for the fish to navigate the bridge and spawn further upstream
  3. So they could take heavier lorries over the bridge
I'll help you a little.
Forest Enterprise had started deforestation of the south side of the Ennerdale valley. Until then Irish bridge had been impassable for their lorries.

The official answer is (2) To make it easier for the fish to navigate the bridge and spawn further upstream.

According to Forest Enterprise these immaculately created river banks will be quickly restored - "During the first six months of the year 2000 the gravel area will regenerate with bracken and grasses. In addition some Willow, Holly and Birch will be planted to further restore the river bank".  

The river bank has started to regenerate with weeds, it's not very pretty and you certainly can't sit on it.
The Environment Agency have overseen this project, so I guess if you can destroy the environment like this in a National Park, you can basically do what you want.