Safety expert under fire as he defends Otley river decision (From Wharfedale Observer)

Safety expert under fire as he defends Otley river decision

7:29pm Tuesday 13th November 2007

• Print
• Email
• Share

A SAFETY expert whose recommendations led to unpopular river fencing being installed in Otley has publicly defended the advice he gave.

Peter Cornall, Head of Leisure Safety for RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents), faced some tough questioning from Leeds City Council's (LCC) Scrutiny Board (Culture and Leisure) on Monday.

The board, investigating the decisions that led to the fencing scheme for Wharfemeadows, Tittybottle and Manor Garth parks being approved, repeatedly asked Mr Cornall to explain why Otley had been singled out'.

He told the meeting: "I've been to hundreds and hundreds of water sites and hand on heart can say I've not been to a public open space with such a big, dangerous weir with complete public access to it, anywhere else in the city.

"The reasons that make Otley different are that you have a public footpath right alongside the river and what is a trip hazard for small children. It's in the middle of a very public park, young people walk there on their way to school and parents take their young children there to feed the ducks.

"I went to the site three times and every time I saw young children, toddlers, more than an arm's reach from their parents. The fencing is designed to stop deliberate or accidental access by children under the age of five.

"There's no way I would recommend fencing off water willy-nilly, it's not a decision we take lightly."

Responding to a question from Councillor Graham Kirkland (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon), concerning the park's excellent safety record, he said: "You can't just go back and say there hasn't been a drowning in the last 20 or 30 years, because there could be one tomorrow."

That answer drew derision from Councillor Bernard Atha. He said: "We could be struck by meteorites! tomorrow.

"There's no way we can protect everybody from every possibility of an accident. To do that you destroy the amenity. I think some of the fencing has been sensible but most of it isn't necessary and the statistics show it hasn't been necessary up to now."

• Print
• Email
• Share