For quite some time, discussions have been on-going regarding the re-instatement of handrails on the 'Plank' bridges over the River Leven. A large petition was organised by Audrey Coupland to present to the local Council. This demonstrated many in the Townspeople felt the exercise was not required. The 'Planks' had survived for many years without handrails and no major Health or Safety problem had been encountered. It was felt to re-instate the handrails would remove some of the 'uniqueness' of these Town features.
Stokesley has had 4 of these type of bridges. Two have since disappeared - the first was on the last bend as the river as it turns away from Levenside and heads off toward Bense Bridge. Whilst the second was straight across the river from the rear of the Costa (used to be the Bay Horse Public House).
Plank behind the Bay Horse Hotel (Costa) with local boys catching tiddlers - NOTE in the background, the plank behind the Golden Lion has not yet been installed.
So that now , we have 2 left which are of a modern design - i.e. they are concrete. As originally installed, they did have handrails but these have been removed about 40 years ago. Stokesley folk ever since, have had to overcome any fears about 'walking the Plank'.
Plank towards western end of Levenside built to more modern concrete design
Not many people realise such bridges are not common and are in fact, elsewhere called 'liggers'. This coming from the basic design of laying (ligging) a plank across a ditch or small river. Stokesley seems to have developed them further to have 2 or 3 spans whereas simple liggers would be a single plank across the gap.
Stokesley folk have always called them 'Planks'. So apart from being rare, they also have a 'Stowsla' name. Such features need to be preserved.
