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Pictured before setting off to make their protest to Leeds City Council are (left to right): Sylvia Reid, Linda Lukats and Tony Hartigan.

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THE fight to stop part of Otley's riverside being fenced off was yesterday taken to the heart of local government - and elicited a promise that alternatives are being drawn up.

Campaigners handed over a 6,136-signature petition against the £165,000 safety fence' scheme and delivered a hard-hitting speech explaining their position to the full meeting of Leeds City Council.

A delegation from Wharfemeadows Action Group (WAG), joined by supporters and television camera crews, presented the petition to Leeds City Council Leader Councillor Andrew Carter outside Leeds Civic Hall.

Coun Carter responded by giving an assurance that different plans for Wharfemeadows Park were now being considered.

WAG member Tony Hartigan said: "He accepted how important this issue is to the people of Otley and said they wanted people to enjoy Wharfemeadows Park. And they are looking at different proposals which he said would be presented to people in Otley before they advanced, which we will hold them to.

"So it was a positive response to our deputation, but of course we don't know what the alternative proposals are yet and are taking nothing for granted. We look forward to seeing them, and in the meantime our campaign will continue."

After the presentation WAG member Linda Lukats addressed the meeting to explain why so many people were opposed to the fence - a scheme Leeds says it was obliged to draw up following recommendations from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Her speech was received with loud, sustained applause.

"It went fantastically and was extremely well received," said Mr Hartigan, "and some of the councillors came out afterwards to thank us."

In the speech, the council was told that: "The sole aim of our action group, which is non-party political, is to co-ordinate the overwhelming opposition in our community to your fencing proposal.

"Today we have presented a petition with more than 6,000 signatures opposing the fencing to Coun Carter, current Leader of the Council.

"When we met him four weeks ago to explain our objections, he assured us that nothing further would happen until counsel's opinion had been received and the people of Otley had been fully consulted.

"We have met with other elected council members and have also presented a separate letter of support signed by our local MP, three city councillors and Otley's town councillors - representing cross-party support.

"The river is one of the main attractions of Otley and is integral to the enjoyment of the many people who come to Wharfemeadows Park - both residents and visitors.

"It is the life-blood of Otley and its appeal would be markedly reduced if the river was fenced off and made inaccessible.

"Economically, many of the local businesses depend on the custom of visitors to the town. Fencing off the river will discourage visitors and have a damaging knock-on effect.

"As council tax payers, the people and representatives of Otley have not even been consulted with regard to these plans. Why waste their money on something they clearly do not want nor support?"

"Our understanding is that the proposals have been made on the basis of flawed recommendations by RoSPA. This plan (you were told) was a response to a coroner's instruction at the inquest into the tragic drowning incident at Roundhay Park in 2005.

"RoSPA cited the case of Tomlinson versus Congleton Borough Council as an example of the legal consequences of a council not following their recommendations. In fact, the House of Lords overturned this Court of Appeal's legal ruling in 2003! The Law Lords upheld people's right to enjoy natural hazards and take responsibility for themselves and their children. We urge you to do likewise."

Meanwhile the Deputy Leader of the city council, Councillor Mark Harris, has promised to come to Otley to explain the final plan for the riverside.

In reply to a query from a Wharfedale and Airedale Observer reader, he said: "We have asked RoSPA to look again, which indeed they have and they have already made alternative suggestions.

"Once we are clear on exactly what all this means, I will personally come to a meeting in Otley to speak to whomever about it."

9:54am Thursday 19th April 2007

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