METAL barriers have been installed on Ilkley's suspension bridge in a bid to deter 'tombstoning'.

The bridge has been a focal point for anti-social behaviour during hot weather forcing police to issue dispersal orders for the area and close the bridge.

And the recent introduction of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the area gives council wardens the power to hand out fines of up to £100 to people who take part 'tombstoning' - jumping from the bridge into the river - as well as to those drinking alcohol and taking drugs, including legal highs.

Councillor Kyle Green (Con, Ilkley) welcomed the installation of the temporary barriers by Bradford Council.

He said: "I am pleased to see measures are finally being introduced to combat anti-social behaviour, though these should have been brought in years ago. I also now expect to see Bradford Council ensure these are temporary and that a better permanent solution can be found in the future. This site has been repeatedly highlighted as creating an 'amphitheatre' atmosphere which exacerbates the unacceptable behaviour we see in this area at certain times. When I have visited the site during these times with the police it is apparent that the bridge area and especially tombstoning exacerbate the behaviour issues we have seen.

"What I really want to see is a holistic approach by Bradford Council to make the whole of the riverside area more family-friendly. We need real enforcement of the PSPO as well as investment in the area to help support changing the behaviour at the site. This means the council needs to address its lack of investment in parks and green spaces in Ilkley and Ben Rhydding, highlighted by only £130,000 being invested in the Riverside playground compared to £640,000 in Lister Park playground."

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth (Ind, Ilkley) said: "The situation on the riverside near the suspension bridge (which was built to carry the sewer from Middleton to the the works on the south of the river) has been dire during the periods of hot weather we have had. There has been drunkenness and worse with substance abuse and general misbehaviour which has ruined the opportunities for those who behave. The council have approved a PSPO for the area. One problem with this is that it doesn’t apply to anyone under 18 years old.

"A serious problem has been 'tombstoning' from the bridge by youngsters, ie jumping off the bridge into the river, with risk of injury to the jumper and anyone underneath. A safety report has therefore recommended that measures be put in place to deter the practice. I understand that the fencing on the bridge, which I believe and hope is a temporary expedient until a better solution can be found, is to try to deter jumping. No, it does not add to the aesthetics of the bridge, but rather that than someone is seriously injured or killed. The river level is very low at the moment, which can only add to the danger for the tombstoners."

The barriers have not been welcomed by many Ilkley residents however, who took to social media to express their views.

One resident Nick Robinson said: "I really don't see how this will curb anti-social behaviour. Instead we're making our beautiful environment ugly because of a few foolish people. We're told it's temporary but how long it temporary? Seems there are no timescales nor even the commitment from Bradford Council to spend the money. They can't provide any numbers about how many people have jumped off the bridge and been injured but apparently being able to jump off the bridge encourages drug taking! What next, cut down trees as people may climb them and fall, and that terribly dangerous pack horse bridge needs replacing. Yes. Let's ruin our beautiful Ilkley to make it a bit safer for some idiots."

A Bradford Council spokesperson, said: “The barriers on Ilkley’s suspension bridge are a temporary safety measure to deter people from jumping from the bridge into the river.”