Picnic site could re-open under new ownership

An iconic county picnic site which has been closed for several years could soon be reopened.

Backney Bridge picnic site near Ross-on-Wye was closed to the public by Herefordshire Council but is expected to soon reopen under the ownership of Sellack Parish Council.

The picnic site, which offers great views of the Wye and the disused bridge of the former Hereford, Ross and Gloucester Railway, is one of the many countryside sites such as Queenswood and Bodenham Lakes which have been disposed of by the county council.

Parish chairman Mark Whitthal said their intention is to reopen it as a picnic site for the public.

Councillor Harry Bramer, Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Contracts and Assets, said: “The transfer of Backney Bridge picnic site to Sellack Parish Council is near completion.

“Management and responsibility of the site will be transferred to the parish council, with the support of the local community, meaning the site should reopen in the near future.”