New crackdown to deal with problem partying on Ilkley's pebble beaches

In summer the River Wharfe is a magnet for groups of young people who travel to Ilkley to swim, drink and party on its banks.

During the lockdown, issues with overcrowding, illegal parking, 'tombstoning' from bridges, littering and anti-social behaviour have been particularly acute and the Friends of Ilkley Riverside Parks group has demanded action.

The group's members met with Bradford Council and Ilkley Town Council on June 8 to discuss a plan to tackle the problems, which have led to a local businessman even describing the area as 'a no-go zone' during warm weather and claiming its reputation is deterring families from moving to the town.

Police and park wardens are to patrol the river and neighbouring East Holmes Fields to enforce by-laws which ban the use of disposable barbecues and to tackle public drinking and drug use. Youth workers will also engage with teenagers seen causing trouble.

There will also be daily bin collections on busy days, and larger bins will be introduced to cope with increased demand. Bradford Council will provide gloves, bags and safety equipment for local volunteers who undertake litter picks.

The town's public toilets will re-open on June 12.

Videos of cars parked inconsiderately and illegally on streets near the Wharfe were widely shared on social media on the May Bank Holiday weekend, and the police will now work with Bradford Council to introduce new traffic measures.

Additional parking restrictions have been put in place on Denton Road and there will be a consultation on long-term changes to regulations affecting parking near the Swing Bridge.

Friends of Ilkley Riverside Parks chair Ed Duguid believes the problems have been steadily worsening in recent years - and that they were exacerbated by 'lockdown fever' in May.

"There have been increasing numbers of people coming to the river for several years now. It can be overwhelming and an unpleasant experience. We see this behaviour from a broad range of ages - mostly mid-teens to early 20s, but also from some families who just seem to let their kids wander off. Last year we did a survey and found that about 80 per cent of visitors were coming from outside of Ilkley.

"The parking measures on Denton Road had a knock-on effect elsewhere, which was frustrating for residents, and there needs to be consultation.

"They do intend to extend the double yellow lines, as the illegal parking is very dangeorus for pedestrians and cyclists."

Mr Duguid also points out that the river beaches and East Holmes Field are covered by by-laws applicable to all of Bradford Council's public parks. Barbecues and fires are banned from these areas, and on nearby Ilkley Moor there is a Public Spaces Protection Order which prohibits their use.

"People bring disposable barbecues and then leave them there, or put hot embers in bins. They leave their detritus lying around and just aren't very responsible. The barbecues burn the grass and they are a fire risk.

"We have issues with anti-social behaviour which is generated by drinking and drug use. People then lose their sense of proportion and there is no social distancing. The beaches were rammed, kids were queuing up to jump off the bridge and blocking it. They are either silly or aggressive when challenged.

"The police face similar issues up at the Cow and Calf, so their resources are split."

The Friends group now has around 800 supporters and volunteers work throughout the year to clear litter, paint benches, trim vegetation and care for play equipment.

"We want visitors to come here and we want people to enjoy themselves - but not at other people's expense. We want this to be a fantastic park, but some people are treating it with total disrespect."