A COUNCILLOR has called for an urgent meeting with senior heritage figures regarding historical landmarks in Ilkley – including the old bridge currently at the centre of a protracted row.

Former Bradford Council heritage champion, ward councillor Anne Hawkesworth, is in talks with English Heritage and Historic England about the future of buildings such as Ilkley Town Hall.

And she has planned to have a walk around town with the assistant director of culture at Bradford Council this week, to discuss concerns about the future of heritage landmarks in Ilkley.

She has already been in talks with various organisations about the future uses of Ilkley Town Hall in Station Hall. The Bradford Council-owned building was once a base for numerous council services, but most have now moved out.

The hall continues to house Ilkley Parish Council's office and Ilkley Visitor Information Centre. The PC also holds its meetings in the hall's council chamber.

Cllr Hawkesworth says she also wants to discuss the Manor House Museum, as talks go on about the future uses of the iconic property.

And she has also stepped into the debate about Ilkley Old Bridge.

Bradford Council recently informed residents it wants to carry out refurbishment work at the historic bridge over the River Wharfe, and is looking into raising the height of parapets, amid claims they were "inadequate".

Another ward councillor, Martin Smith, last week announced he was starting a petition in a bid to stop the "unnecessary" work from taking place without full consultation.

Cllr Hawkesworth (Ind, Ilkley) said: "I am fully supportive of the petition to retain the historical aspect of the Old Bridge – essentially a pack horse type bridge, we must retain it for the future.

"I was 'heritage champion' for a number of years. I believe English Heritage will rap knuckles if there isn't more thought and detail put into this by highways."

Cllr Val Slater, Bradford Council's executive member of housing, planning and transport, said: "We are in the early stages of the design and planning process for the work on Old Bridge in Ilkley. Part of this process will involve consultation with English Heritage, as well as seeking the views of local residents."

A number of Ilkley residents have written to the Gazette expressing their concerns about possible alterations to the bridge.

William Bond, of Ilkley, said: "Perhaps the council could let us know how many people actually fall off the bridge that would warrant spending tens of thousands of pounds to prevent such tragedies?"

Another Ilkley resident, Sheila Brindley, said: "I have lived in Ilkley (and was born here) well over 60 years, and no-one has ever fallen off that bridge, to my knowledge."

l See letters on pages 12 and 13 for more comment on this issue