RoSPA offers Otley fence options to council. (From Wharfedale Observer)

RoSPA offers Otley fence options to council.

12:36pm Thursday 8th March 2007

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MORE than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling on Leeds City Council to drop its plans for a safety fence at Otley's Wharfe-meadows Park.

The specially formed Wharfemead-ows Action Group said yesterday that support for the campaign launched just two weeks ago had been overwhelming.

Meanwhile, the head of leisure safety with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), Peter Cornall, revealed that options' had been discussed with Leeds City Council.

And although he was adamant that some sort of barrier should go up to prevent accidental drowning, it could be moved back away from the river's edge.

"We have spoken to Leeds about options but there needs to be something to restrict access to the water.

"There needs to be some fencing there to protect the public. If Leeds takes the fence back from the river, the important thing is to make sure the main walk way is separate."

Mr Cornall added the fenced off area would have to have gates and signs making it clear that people made their own decision about entering the unprotected part of the park. It would also have to have gates to allow access for anglers and boaters.

"People will still be able to go down there and feed the ducks, but it is accidental access by toddlers that is our major concern, and not for adults.

"A mum with three kids only needs to be distracted, one child falls in and by the time she's looked after the other two, the one in the river could have drowned."

Mr Cornall, who visited the park last week after becoming aware of massive local opposition to RoSPA's recommendations, said his main concern was the weir. He added that he believed RoSPA's safety experts probably had more experience of water safety than people who believed they understood the Wharfe.

"There aren't that many weirs of that size that have direct access to the public. It is a nasty, dangerous weir and something needs to be done.

"If the weir was not there, we probably would not have suggested it, but something must be done."

In RoSPA's report to the city council, it recommends that a fence be constructed from Otley Bridge right the way through the park to the White Bridge.

The council, which presented its plans for the £165,000 fence to town councillors last month, says it is obliged to follow RoSPA's recommendations because it could open itself up to litigation if there was to be an accident.

Mr Cornall added: "A clear, unambiguous solution would be to link up the fencing with what already exists. Because the park floods, a fence would give a demarcation of the edge of the river as well.

"We are not suggesting an eight feet high fence, we are suggesting a 1.1 metre fence of about hip-height. There will be no spikes and it can be vertical or horizontal rails. There would need to be gates into the fence to allow legitimate access for anglers or boaters."

Mr Cornall added that despite already discussing options with the city council, he would be happy to meet with interested parties.

And he stressed his main concern was not to stop people from getting close to the river, but to prevent small children from falling in accidentally.

"We're not talking about an impenetrable barrier, we're talking about stopping accidental access by the under six years old if someone needs to get over, they will be able to hook their leg over.

"It is definitely about denying access to wandering toddlers and for adults to make an informed choice."

He also warned that the city council could find itself being sued if it did not make the park safe.

"If there was a drowning, Leeds could be liable. No doubt the parents of a child who drowned would sue and so often people who have an accident do seek retribution," he said.

Sylvia Reid, of the Wharfe-meadows Action Group (WAG) did not want to comment on options until they had been confirmed by the city council.

"We have had a meeting with two city councillors, Ryk Downes and Colin Campbell and stressed that WAG is non party political. We appreciate that it is a difficult problem at any time, but more so in the run up to town and city elections in May.

"We exchanged information and we have the full support of the city councillors in what the group is trying to achieve. They are not in favour of the fence and have said they will do what they can to help."

Councillors Graham Kirkland, Ryk Downes and Colin Campbell, who is up for re-election to Leeds City Council in May, have written to RoSPA because they believe the recommendations are over the top'. They are also urging people to write to RoSPA themselves.

Coun Campbell said: "We have written to RoSPA because we believe there are factors they haven't taken into account. We are suggesting they might like to come back and talk to the people involved. RoSPA have to understand the strength of public feeling about this."

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which is responsible for public safety in public places, said yesterday it had not been consulted about Wharfemeadows Park.

A spokesman said: "If the grounds in question are owned by Leeds City Council, HSE would have a role with regard to the safety of employees and members of the public using them as an amenity.

"This matter has not been brought to HSE's attention and no investigation has taken place, so at this stage, HSE is unable to take a view on the proposed actions."

Otley MP Greg Mulholland said he was pleased that RoSPA had agreed to come up with alternative suggestions.

"I am extremely pleased that RoSPA have said they will reconsider their recommendations.

"They have taken note of the uproar they have caused in Otley and I hope now we can have a positive discussion about this.

"I am particularly pleased they have accepted my invitation to come and meet campaigners, town and city councillors to consult with us about this and I look forward to this happening so local people get their say."

Coun Ryk Downes added: "I am very encouraged by this and would like the opportunity to sit down with local residents and discuss the new proposals and see whether they are acceptable and keep the fence away from the river.

Leeds City Council declined to comment.

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