Rufford Ford in Nottinghamshire, England, is among the oldest crossings of its kind. Its age surpasses a millennium, yet today it sits closed to traffic.
Situated on a regular asphalt road, the ford is harmless in dry weather, merely a shallow puddle. When rain arrives, water cascades over it, and the depth can exceed half a meter, turning a simple drive into a risky challenge.
In 2020, a local resident named Ben Gregory began sharing clips of vehicles sinking at the ford. The footage quickly spread online, sparking a mix of curiosity and amusement. People eagerly speculated which cars could conquer the ford and which would be swallowed by the rushing water. Even crossovers and SUVs found themselves engulfed, with some bumpers damaged in the attempt.
As rain returned, crowds gathered after the rainfall, turning the ford into an informal spectacle. It drew visitors, and at least one video even captured voices in Russian among the crowd. The growing attention prompted city officials to act. After consultations with firefighters and police, the council decided to ban passage through the ford, prioritizing safety over the lure of a quick, scenic drive.
With the ford no longer in service, the site remains a topic of discussion. There is no plan to erect a bridge there because the numbers do not support such a project. Authorities are instead seeking safer river-crossing options nearby to protect travelers during wet seasons.
Meanwhile, Gregory has continued his social media presence, shifting his focus to a few other fords within roughly an hour’s drive from Rufford Ford in Leicestershire. His content has continued to attract large audiences and has helped raise awareness about the dangers of ford crossings when rivers are swollen.
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