A sprung gangway that is counterbalanced to remain in a given degree of extension or retraction includes a lifting resistance device that includes a linear index rail that slides selectively into and out of a hollow sheath unless engaged by a locking paw that is pivotally mounted to the sheath via a pivot bar, which when pivoted by tugging on a release cord effects disengagement of the locking paw and thereby permits raising of the gangway from the lowered working orientation to a storage orientation.