SILSDEN’S unfinished flood barrier has been removed by Bradford Council after months of wrangling.

The local authority paid for the removal but hopes to recover costs once it tracks down who was responsible for the structure.

The removal of the steel girder from the bank of Silsden Beck was this week welcomed by Val Carroll, the resident who led the campaign against the eyesore.

But town and district councillor, Adrian Naylor, believes City Hall should have waited until the completion of a review into flood dangers in Silsden before acting.

The barrier, intended to stop water escaping Silsden Beck and running along St John Street at times of heavy rain, was originally a joint project by Silsden Youth Council and Silsden Environmental Group.

The two groups received £2,500 towards the work from Bradford councillors in March 2013.

After the girder was erected the Environmental Group folded, and no work has been carried out since.

Since then, town and district councillors have clashed regarding which organisation should be responsible for completing the project.

Val Carroll, of North Street, a Labour candidate in the Bradford Council elections in May, started her campaign in March last year for the girder to be removed.

She this week said: “I wanted to reflect the concerns of many local people at the appearance of the barrier in one of Silsden’s most photographed sites.

“Most passers-by on February 29, the start of the clear-up, were very happy to see the barrier go.”

But Cllr Naylor this week accused Bradford Council of acting prematurely by removing the barrier before the completion of investigations into the Boxing Day floods and potential future risks to places like Silsden.

He said: “I can’t understand why, when they desire to learn the mistakes of the flooding, they remove the barrier prior to the assessment of the risk of further floods.

“It seems to be common sense to have a review of all the issues before taking pre-emptive action.”

A Bradford Council confirmed the barrier was removed using an approved contract.

She said: “The owners of the barrier didn't comply with an enforcement notice issued by us, which required them to remove this barrier.

“It didn't have planning permission and was the wrong type of barrier for this conservation area.

“We have had to pay for its removal and we will continue to investigate who will ultimately be responsible for paying for this."