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Fence for Otley weir and play area to go ahead despite protests
SAFETY fencing could start going up along Otley's riverside any day now after Leeds bosses decided to push ahead with part of the unpopular scheme.
Leeds City Council's executive board, mindful of a 6,136 signature petition against the original plan, agreed last week to defer a decision about what should be done to improve safety at Wharfe-meadows Park to allow public consultation.
But with a significant exception built in - "that the chief recreation officer be requested to progress fencing proposals by the river in the vicinities of the weir and the children's play area."
That means fencing could now start going up around the play area and weir, the two areas most people have agreed do have genuine safety issues, at any time.
Leeds says the legal advice it has received means it has to act quickly and press ahead with the least contentious part of its plan.
But it insists the question of what safety measures will be introduced in the rest of the park is still being considered.
Wharfemeadows Action Group (WAG), Councillor Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) and Otley MP Greg Mulholland, have all attacked the decision.
WAG member Tony Hartigan said: "We're very disappointed. We were told the scheme was going to be deferred.
"The big question now is really to what degree will Leeds allow full and proper consultation', to use their own words?
"They've already scuppered that by deciding to go ahead with some fencing before consultation has taken place.
"We had told them we were very keen to take an interest and be involved in the consultation and then they go and do that, another fait accompli is presented.
"Many people, including ourselves, are in favour of some improvements to safety around the weir and play ground but it has to be thought through properly.
"Have they actually considered what kind of fencing would be acceptable in a conservation area?
"People have very strong views about what would be acceptable but it appears their views won't count."
Mr Mulholland said: "It would be quite wrong for Leeds to go ahead with any safety work in Wharfemeadows Park.
"We are in the middle of a consultation process and nothing must happen until that process is complete and to everyone's satisfaction.
"I have made an alternative proposal about how the park could be made safer without fencing, this included looking at fencing the children's play area rather than the river.
"This must be properly considered so the city council must respond to this before they take any firm decisions, let alone action."
Coun Downes said: "Whilst I appreciate the board's concern at the perceived danger at this location, having given residents a chance to comment it is disappointing they should take this decision now, after appearing to promise not to until June."
But city council Leader Councillor Mark Harris stoutly defended the decision.
He said: "There was a majority at the public meeting in favour of at least doing this, but anyway is anybody seriously saying we should not do anything at the weir and play area?
"You can consult as much as you like but at the end of the day we have a legal responsibility.
"I will personally come to another public meeting to talk about the whole situation and the rest of the solution and what it may be, but we have got to do the weir and play area and it has to be done quickly.
"We're approaching summer and there will be far more people adjacent to the river, and these two areas are dangerous.
"We've got no agenda. I'm between a rock and a hard place and in my position you have to take decisions that have legal implications.
"Yes, the views of people are important but if somebody were to fall in that weir tomorrow and drown nobody would have a leg to stand on, that's where we're coming from.
"The rest of it we're talking about."
12:23pm Thursday 24th May 2007
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