PEOPLE are still jumping from Ilkley’s suspension bridge despite repeated warnings about how dangerous it can be.
The Telegraph & Argus witnessed people jumping from the bridge this afternoon amid soaring temperatures.
Councillor Anne Hawkesworth (Independent, Ilkley) hit out over the situation.
She said: "Anybody jumping off any bridge at the moment, is actually asking to possibly lose their life or at least break their legs.
"The water level is not adequate or sufficient for people to be jumping in. They should not be jumping off any time, but at present and with water so low, it's incredibly dangerous."
She raised the fear that even with restraints, some individuals with "no sense" would pull them off.
Cllr Hawkesworth added: "It's a great worry to people that other people are going to hurt themselves. When they won't listen to sense, what can you do?"
The bridge over the River Wharfe has been a focal point of anti-social behaviour during hot weather in recent years, forcing police to issue dispersal orders for the area and close the bridge.
A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the riverside area also gives Bradford Council wardens the power to hand out fines of up to £100 to people who take part in 'tombstoning' - jumping from the bridge into the river.
Last year a temporary metal barrier was installed on the footbridge in Denton Road, Ilkley, but it was vandalised and failed to deter jumpers. The water can be shallow in dry weather and at least one person was seriously injured last year.
Earlier this year, Bradford Council officers applied to the authority's planning department for permission to increase the guardrail height of the bridge to 2.4 metres.
Bradford Council appointed Royal Lifesaving Society United Kingdom (RLSS UK) to review and make recommendations prior to the application, which is still pending consideration.
The society's report concluded: "It would be recommended this area be fenced more effectively to prevent ease of access."
It said: "It would be recommended the bridge be ‘netted’ to prevent ‘jumpers’ accessing the outer rail. Each end of the bridge should also have access denial measures to prevent ‘jumpers from traversing the outer rail from the bank-sides’.
“This is an ideal location to remind people of the dangers of drinking alcohol and using drugs and the danger of water."
A Bradford Council spokesperson said at the time: “The riverside at Ilkley attracts many visitors, especially in periods of hot weather, and while the majority are able to enjoy themselves safely and sensibly, jumping off the suspension footbridge, which can be extremely dangerous, has become a common occurrence.
“This meant that on occasions we have had to close the footbridge, to prevent this. Closing the footbridge causes significant inconvenience to both local residents and visitors and it also is a drain on police and Council resources to enforce the closure.”
Bradford Council has been contacted for comment in light of today and tomorrow's extremely hot weather.
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