Since the publication of the RoSPA report that was commissioned by the Council and Avon & Somerset Police, the Council and its partners have been implementing the recommendations to improve safety along the River Avon.
Although work on implementing the recommendation to install 850 metres of edge protection on the stretch of the northern public footpath on the River Avon, east of Windsor Bridge was intended for the long-term, the Council has been able to move things along more quickly than anticipated. The work was extensive due to:
- The need to consult with Avon Fire and Rescue, the Environment Agency, River and Canal Trust and the River Corridor Group;
- Finding a design that met certain requirements, such as avoiding the compromise of flood defences;
- Developing a solution that was affordable, including using developers contributions from Bath Western Riverside and securing a £5,000 contribution from Bath Spa University.
The Cabinet will now be considering a report to make the plans a reality by agreeing a £140,000 project for the edge protection.
Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said, “The Council and its partners have taken swift action to implement many of the key recommendations in the RoSPA report that will make the River Avon safer for people on foot and who use bicycles. We’ve particularly worked hard on putting together a detailed proposal to deliver the edge protection at one of the most vulnerable sections of the river as quickly as we possibly could.
“This follows a number of other initiatives such as painting ladder gaps to make them more visible, raising awareness amongst the student population of the dangers of the river, and improved vegetation management to maintain the width of the path.”
