The accolade comes hot on the heels of a prize in the Civic Trust Awards last month, and the bridge is also up for another gong after winning a place on the Yorkshire shortlist for a national architecture award.

The Waterways Renaissance Award, run by The Waterways Trust and the British Urban Regeneration Association (BURA), was given for the work of residents and groups like Castleford Heritage Trust and Castleford Riverside Community Group in helping develop the scheme for the £4.8m bridge, plus a fish pass on the River Aire. It was also a finalist in the design and construction category.

Alison Drake, chairman of the Heritage Trust, said: “The community has not only initiated the project, we have helped to deliver it and win millions in funding in partnership with local agencies. It’s been a long-term project and the community deserves that recognition.”

As part of the bridge initiative the community groups have also worked with the Environment Agency in a three-year scheme to help improve the waterfront in the town, and liaised with English Partnerships as part of its work reclaiming the Fryston and Wheldale Colliery site.

Wendy Rayner, of the Riverside Community Group, said: “I think the more awards the bridge wins the more that people in town will take pride in what they’ve got.

“It’s been a great success. There’s been very little damage. People said it would get graffiti and it hasn’t, it’s still getting visitors from all across the country and further. I’m so pleased about it and that we were involved – even people who doubted have come round and used it when they said they wouldn’t.”

Roger Hanbury, chief executive of the Waterways Trust, said: “The community’s actions in both driving this scheme forward and securing funding are impressive. The bridge brings social benefit through a much-needed link to the north of the town and makes use of an exciting modern design. This project is truly inspirational and the methods used to engage all members of the partnership are exceptional.”

The bridge is also in the running for a Royal Institute of British Architects Award, which will be announced on May 21.