Fence campaigners say Leeds City Council have only themselves to blame for vandalism (From Wharfedale Observer)

Fence campaigners say Leeds City Council have only themselves to blame for vandalism

3:46pm Thursday 18th October 2007

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UNPOPULAR safety fencing has been dumped into the River Wharfe at Otley just days after being installed - but campaigners say Leeds City Council only has itself to blame.

Police are investigating after eight panels of the black, one-metre high bow-topped fence that was put up alongside the river in Wharfemeadows Park last week was dis-mantled.

The vandalism is believed to have happened overnight on Saturday, and has been condemned by many in the community including the most vocal critics of the fencing scheme.

But Wharfemeadows Action Group (WAG), Otley MP Greg Mulholland and the Town Council all say Leeds City Council has to accept some responsibility for what has happened.

A WAG spokesman said: "We do not know who removed the fencing. WAG has always shown respect for the law and the democratic process.

"Leeds City Council has displayed a misunderstanding of the law, contempt for its own scrutiny board and an arrogant attitude towards overwhelming opposition to its fencing plan.

"The council's provocative action in installing fencing before the official inquiry into this matter has been completed has astonished even neutral observers.

"If Leeds had been reasonable it would have set up genuine consultation with the people of Otley. A sensible solution was available but the council chose to ignore local advice.

"Council leaders were advised repeatedly about the strength of feeling against unnecessary fencing along the river.

"The council must therefore take respon-sibility for this situation. None of this needed to happen."

Town council leader Councillor Jim Spencer said: "Was anyone surprised to wake up to the news that the river fence had been vandalised? It is pathetically poor management by Leeds officers that has got us into this situation.

"Very often it is not what is done but the way it is done that matters most and the way this whole affair has been handled has been so bad as to defy belief at times.

"The strength of feeling has been fuelled by the blatant way in which the town's views have been ignored and it has now resulted in this act of vandalism.

"To say the situation is disappointing is an understatement. However some principles are more important than even the bitterest disappointment and the rule of law is one of them."

Mr Mulholland has just made an official Freedom of Information request for the legal advice obtained by Leeds City Council, which it insists meant it had to install fencing, to be made public.

He said: "Whilst I cannot condone people taking the law into their own hands, this demonstrates just how much anger has been generated in Otley over this issue.

"Trying to impose things in the face of overwhelming opposition is no way to do things and LCC has ridden roughshod over local people and their elected representatives.

"What is now important is that Leeds leaders finally listen to the views of the town.

"No further work should take place until there has been a full inquiry into the way this whole fiasco has been handled."

Coun John Procter, Leeds City Council's executive member for Leisure, said: "This is criminal damage. The panels were taken down using specialist tools.

"Those tools were used to vandalise and discard eight panels that were thrown in the river. They have been recovered and are being put back in.

"We understand all of the issues and recognise that the decision taken has not found favour with everybody, but the fact is it was a democratic decision taken by elected members.

"I was in Otley looking at the fence and was stopped by two different people, who didn't know who I was, who said they didn't know what the fuss was about.

"The fence that has gone in is much more modest than what many people thought. For it to be treated like this is a bit silly."

Councillor Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) also condemned the vigilantism', but has raised his own safety concerns.

He said: "It seems like the loops at the top of the fence don't actually complete at the end of each section, so children could get their fingers caught in it and it's potentially dangerous.

"So I've written to say they should stop work until it's made safe."

Leeds City Council is facing another challenge, this time concerning the fence's height, from Otley and Yeadon Labour Group member Leonie Sharp.

She said: "I've measured it and it's 1.2 metres high, not one metre - so it needs a separate planning application because it's in the Conservation Area."

Otley Police Inspector Simon Hepworth, has urged anyone with information to come forward.

He said: "There was no permanent damage to the sections of fence. However, quite clearly this was wrong and whoever has done it has committed a public disorder offence.

"However controversial the fence might be the decision's been made that it is necessary and people have to respect that. The prevailing view is that by removing the fence they could have been putting people at risk, so whoever's done this needs to think very clearly about their actions."

lAnybody with information can call the confidential Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.

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