Lifesaving measures planned to reduce drowning risk at Grimsby's Riverhead
LIFESAVING equipment will be installed to reduce the risk of drowning at Grimsby's Riverhead.
Buoyancy aids and warning signs will be put up around the Riverhead Basin, while a range of other safety measures are being considered for the longer term.
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Tragic death: Craig 'Boo' Marsh drowned in Alexandra Dock, Grimsby.
The move comes after the Grimsby Telegraph highlighted growing concerns about the dangers posed by the town's open water areas.
According to the council, four fatalities have been recorded in the past 10 years as well as a number of near misses.
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In July, we carried a front page story about a man who was rescued from the freezing water of the Riverhead by three police officers.
And in August we reported on a campaign by the family of Craig 'Boo' Marsh, who drowned after falling into Alexandra Dock in November 2010, for lifelines to be installed at the water's edge.
The issue was picked up by local councillors, and a series of safety proposals were drawn up by North East Lincolnshire Council's strategic partner Balfour Beatty.
The safer and stronger communities scrutiny panel gave the go-ahead for the "quick-win" solutions of signs and buoyancy aids to be installed, which is expected to cost less than £1,000.
It also recommended that a feasibility study be carried out on other potential safety measures for the entire stretch of water between the Riverhead Basin and Corporation Bridge.
Proposals include:
Permanent barriers
A chain to help people pull themselves out of the water.
Audible warning devices
A sensor to alert CCTV cameras when someone goes into the water.
The move has been supported by Craig's mother Elaine Marsh.
She said: "It's marvellous, but I just don't understand why they weren't put in place before.
"I just hope it prevents other people going through what we have gone through.
"Anyone could fall into the water and at the moment there's nothing to save them.
"The basin at the Riverhead is filthy and that's a danger in itself. There should be life buoys at Alexandra Dock because quite a lot of people go fishing there."
Councillor Steve Norton (Con, Humberston and New Waltham) welcomed the proposals, but cautioned against the council becoming a "nanny authority".
He said: "The cost is low to the authority and I do support these recommendations, but I do have concerns that we are trying to protect people who really ought to know better."
Councillor Iain Colquhoun (Con, Waltham) agreed that adults should be trusted to act responsibly around the basin, but said he was concerned about the possibility of children running away from their parents and falling into the water.
He said another danger was the variety of objects, such as abandoned shopping trolleys, lurking beneath the waterline.
He added: "I really am pleased that at last someone has taken the initiative and come up with a management plan that's heading in the right direction.
"The cost of implementing these recommendations is very minor, but it will lead to a tremendous increase in the potential safety of everyone using the town centre."
The chairman of the panel, Councillor Jon-Paul Howarth (Lab, East Marsh), thanked the Grimsby Telegraph and safety campaigners for keeping the issue in the public domain.
He said: "A lot of people have risked their own lives trying to save others and we have a duty of care to those people. Nobody deserves to lose their lives in such a way that could be prevented."
Comments
by labourladie
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 1:29PM
“I used to go swimming and fishing in there some years ago. It was grand! And salty. However Almighty is right, it does need filling in (after the fish have been safely removed) The Freshney (AKA The Haven) could also be filled in and revert to its original course. This would save millions every year in costs because it's just a giant dustbin and few folk really appreciate it nowadays. Just a sec, somebody just shouted that there are no fish in the system any longer because the immigrants have eaten them all! Enough said.”
by jack_knife
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 11:21AM
“Grim,
As one old "chap", (a word you like to use,) to another old chappy, calm down.
Please show/tell me where I have made "condescending comments about AGE and cripped (?) (do you mean crippled?) VETERAN ELDERS...etc" Don't bother your feeble mind, I know you can't, as I've NEVER used the term "VETERAN ELDERS."
You really must read my posts properly and stop putting words into my mouth that I have not said. You are good at that, as we have seen in some your past rants.
Now Grim, sit down and have a cup of strong coffee or strong sweet tea, and keep dreaming of the Lincoln Castle, you might feel better.”
by Grimlander
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 8:09AM
“**jack_knife, Tue., Oct. 23, 12, 8:06PM -- "Grim, old chappy, If you wouldn't go into "that muck", why should I?"**
--------------------------------------------------
How about your carping, denigratory, and sometimes simultaneously condescending, comments about AGE and cripped VETERAN ELDERS who have to walk with a stick, to name but two of far too many reasons supplied by your very good self in multiple personae?
Well... you asked -- and the world might then be a better place?”
by jack_knife
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 8:06PM
“Grim, old chappy,
If you wouldn't go into "that muck", why should I?”
by Grimlander
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 1:40PM
“Yes, jack_
...and I could squirm thru it, over it and under it and roll into the murk called water, even with me stick, if I were daft enough. My kids, my grandkids, and any of that ilk with me on docksides, have MY healthy respect for water far cleaner than that muck passing for it in the Riverhead basin.
Your comment invites only one sane response:
"Take a running jump... at those railings!"”
by Grimlander
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 1:29PM
“Yes, jack...
And I could squirm under it or through it even WITH me stick -- if I were daft enough. I think the only response I can make to your comment is:
Take a running jump at it!”
by jack_knife
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 1:22PM
“Grim,
Yes, there is a fence around the area, but look at how high (or low) it is. I could clear it even without using my walking stick as a vaulting pole! lol. Well, ok, I don't use a stick.
See my Monday, 3-02pm post or my same day 8-09pm post, in reply to that idiot, Leveret/Alan Hare.”
by Grimlander
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 10:36AM
“Apart from the fact that NE£incs Council's proposals, if applied, would not only make THEM a laughing stock, BUT ALSO THE VOTERS WHO PUT 'EM ALL THERE, another item in the GT report, above, deserves comment:
**"In July, we carried a front page story about a man who was rescued from the freezing water of the Riverhead by three police officers."**
July? Freezing water? It prompts a reeeelly GREAT IDEA. Why not catch all that dangerous ammonia that's floating !-) about Grimland (a previous GT report) and FREEZE the Riverhead Basin solid. A centrally situated Ice Rink or wot!?
PS: And in that GT picture at the top, here, aren't they railings fencing almost the whole of the basin already!!??”
by grimoldie
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 6:10AM
“Well like most on here it seems like the council is wasting more money. People/kids fish the river head and never get into trouble, yet it seems as soon as some drunken yob jumps in the river with his pockets full of ill gained coins by all accounts they want to spend money.
I often go down to the cider pub at Brandy Wharf it's right next to the River Ancholme yet I do not see loads of safety features down there.
Why because it is used by sensible people who can enjoy a night out without wanting to jump in or be thrown in the river by other morons.”
by BLINDFAITH
Monday, October 22 2012, 10:43PM
“As a chuild over fifty years ago I used to regularly swim there with my brother. In those days the water was cleanish as the tide came in twice a day and any rubbish went out with it. barges came up and as far as flottergate bridge to the grain store and I dont remember anyone falling in and drowning. Of course this was before Frederick Ward Way,the precinct and 24 hour drinking and before the demolition men moved in. "What have they done to my Town Ma?" and as a narrowboater I
agree with the person who walked the Grand Union Canal no fences plenty of watering holes.”