Fence protest group given council cash backing (From Wharfedale Observer)

Fence protest group given council cash backing

10:50am Thursday 29th March 2007

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OTLEY councillors have pledged £1,000 towards the fight to stop the river being fenced off at Wharfemeadows Park.

At Monday's Executive Committee, councillors agreed to donate up to £1,000 to campaign group Wharfemeadows Action Group (WAG) towards the cost of transporting objectors to the full meeting of Leeds City Council on April 18.

WAG, which has succeeded in getting the city council to question legal arguments in safety recommendations for the riverside park, plans to take a petition currently with more than 2,000 names, to the council meeting to present to the Lord Mayor, Councillor Mohammed Iqbal.

On Monday, executive committee chairman, Councillor John Eveleigh, praised the action group for leading the fight to stop the city council from following recommendations made by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to fence off the river from Otley Bridge for the whole length of the park.

Coun Eveleigh said: "It is not in this town's interests that the fence is erected. I understand that WAG are hoping to hire a coach for the full council meeting and there are a number of other costs that the campaign group have incurred over the last few weeks.

"They've done an amazing amount and hopefully it will result in a complete reversal by the city council."

Coun Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) added the group had become a very effective campaigning organisation.

"I would like to thank them for their efforts, particularly in regard to the legal advice to which RoSPA have based their argument. It would appear that RoSPA have misinterpreted their legal position."

Last week, city council leader, Coun Andrew Carter said independent legal advice from counsel was being sought to study RoSPA's legal argument towards its recommendations for Wharfemeadows Park.

Yesterday, Coun Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) said he believed a fence would not be put up in front of Bridge Avenue, by the river steps, although there was room for compromise by the weir close to the children's playground.

"I think there is a good case for a fence next to the weir where there is a ten ft drop, but I don't think we are going to see the river fenced off in front of Bridge Avenue and certainly all three ward councillors would oppose it to the hilt. I will be very surprised if it goes ahead."

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