A new bridge has been lifted into place to replace a 100-year-old structure that carried people across the river to a pair of island greens.

The first and largest of two new bridges took its place over the River Wharfe yesterday, linking the river island holes with the rest of Ilkley Golf Club.

A large crane was drafted in to haul the 23 tonne two-piece steel structure into position at the course, which is just off Nesfield Road.

The bridge is 25 metres long and three metres wide, with ramps at either side, allowing a tractor and groundsmen’s vehicles to reach the island.

It replaces an old footbridge which was said to have been constructed with steel originally used on the Forth Bridge in Scotland.

The £100,000-plus project is being paid for entirely from golf club funds.

The 6,262 yard course is the third oldest golf club in Yorkshire. Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie learned his trade at the club, and victorious 1999 Ryder Cup captain, Mark James, is also an honorary life member.

Secretary Bill Cartwright said: “For 12 months we’ve been working on getting new bridges wide enough to take the tractor onto the island.”

The club had to conduct a wildlife survey to make sure creatures such as rare bats would not be disturbed by removing the old bridge, and the new structure is green to fit in with the surroundings.

The entirely British-built new bridge was constructed in two sections by Beaver Bridges in Shropshire and carried to Ilkley by road.

The company’s project manager, Jonathan Land, said the bridge was ready to go before Christmas, but the bad weather prevented it being put in place.