Otley erupts in anger at plan to fence off river

11:09am Thursday 1st March 2007

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A FURORE has broken out throughout the town of Otley and beyond over plans to fence off the river at Wharfemeadows Park.

An action group has been formed to fight Leeds City Council's £165,000 safety fence plans and more than 100 petition forms have been distributed in pubs, shops and businesses across the town.

A further two more petitions have been set up, including an e-mail protest on the Government website and next Wednesday protesters are due to feature on BBC Radio Four's lunchtime programme, You and Yours.

In addition, a deputation of protesters is due to speak to the full meeting of Leeds City Council on April 18.

Meanwhile, the city council this week appeared to be attempting to distance itself from the plans by putting the blame on the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), responsible for the safety recommendations at the park, and saying it would be looking for a compromise.

Liberal Democrat ward councillors were also heavily criticised for producing a pre-election leaflet against the plans - in direct opposition to the Liberal Democrat-controlled city council.

The Wharfedale & Airedale Observer has been inundated with letters protesting at the plans, and editor Mel Vasey said: "The weight of protest against this proposal is greater than on any other issue in the last 15 years. The town is outraged."

Councillor John Procter, Leeds City Council"s executive board member for parks and countryside, said: "Given the strong local opposition to the scheme, we will be contacting RoSPA to make them aware of the extent of public concern with the scheme that they have suggested. We will be asking them for comments on this issue and for any suggestions for alternatives that they can offer.

"However, it must be stressed that if RoSPA do not change the advice given, we cannot change our policy."

Linda Lukats, of the newly formed Wharfemeadows Action Group, said: "So far we"ve put out 100 petitions in the town. Everybody is signing it, I"ve not had anyone negative about it at all. I gave out one form to some dog walkers and within two hours they came back with 40 names on the sheet.

"We are hoping that following last Monday's meeting at the civic centre when there was unanimous opposition, they will re-think their plans. This is a city solution for a rural market town and we don"t take kindly to Leeds imposing their thoughts on us."

In a pre-election leaflet, Liberal Democrat councillors Colin Campbell, Ryk Downes and Graham Kirkland say although certain areas of the river should be fenced, RoSPA's proposals are excessive'.

And they call on people to sign their petition calling on RoSPA to review its recommendation.

"While we can see that certain areas should be fenced, around the children's play area for example, we believe that the proposals are excessive and will be detrimental to the park," said Coun Campbell.

Coun John Eveleigh, leader of Otley Town Council, criticised the three ward councillors of being completely disingenuous'.

"Everyone in the town is adamantly opposed to their administration's proposals - instead of lobbying to the Executive Board to change their disastrous decision, I see that they are petitioning RoSPA to ask them to reconsider their recommendations.

"They must know that the chances of RoSPA amending their recommendations are extremely remote. Why would RoSPA change their advice? If they did, they would lose all credibility."

Otley MP Greg Mulholland said he was calling for a meeting between town and city councillors and RoSPA. "I have already expressed my concerns to the city council"s executive board and I am also writing to RoSPA.

"Clearly the level of anger in the town means that these proposals must be thrown out. There may be areas that would benefit from some form of appropriate fencing, such as the children"s play area, that adds to the area rather than takes away, but there needs to be proper consultation. The idea of fencing all the way along is unacceptable."

• Copies of the Wharfemeadows Action Group petition are available in pubs, businesses and shops in Otley. Copies of the petition can also be downloaded from the group"s website www.wharfemeadowsactiongroup.org

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