Canal safety moves are rejected by Leicester City Council
Just two of 15 canal safety proposals put forward after the death of a student are likely to be approved by Leicester City Council.
The body of De Montfort University student Phil Dillon, 24, was found in the Grand Union Canal, near Western Boulevard, Leicester, in March.
He had fallen into the canal while walking to his Frog Island home after a night out.
Campaigners set up a Facebook group urging British Waterways and Leicester City Council to improve safety.
It attracted 4,400 members and about 1,000 signatures for a petition, which was handed to the city council in April.
Alongside the signatures were 15 recommendations for schemes which could improve safety along the waterway.
Two recommendations – making mooring rings more visible and the path less uneven – are likely to be accepted. The other 13 look set to be turned down.
Campaign supporter John Cleaver, 42, from Leicester's West End, said: "I'm disappointed because I use a stretch of the canal a lot when I'm heading into the city centre and I know how dangerous it is.
"So much more needs to be done to make it safer."
In a report due to go before the council's scrutiny committee next Thursday, danger signs aimed at youngsters were ruled out as "impractical".
Among the other recommendations declined was extra lighting along the footpaths, on the grounds that it would provide a "false sense of security" and would affect wildlife.
Installing gates which could be locked at night was also ruled out. The report said: "This is impractical with the number of entrances to the canal and the cost would be prohibitive. In addition, boat users would become trapped in the locked space."
CCTV cameras aimed at the canal were also declined.
The report said: "There is an element of sensitivity about the use of CCTV by the student population, whose aim is to reduce surveillance."
Putting railings along the canal near drinking establishments, safety barriers under bridges, extra life rings and buoys in the water were also refused for various reasons.
However, British Waterworks will be asked to make mooring rings more visible as part of their routine maintenance work. The other suggestion was a plan to work with British Waterways to come to an agreement on how to make the path less uneven.
4 Comments
by Sue Charles, Albany, Western Australia
Monday, November 08 2010, 11:47PM
“Thank you to all who campaigned and to Leicester City Council for listening. The canal is a thoroughfare many people use and needs to remain open and accessible to all. Let Phil's death make those people appreciate the danger of the water and keep themselves safe”
by Phil, Leicester
Sunday, October 31 2010, 12:25PM
“I am sorry that Mr Dillon died, and I certainly don't mean to belittle his death.
However, as well-meaning parties advocate 'safety suggestions' that infringe on our civil liberties - more CCTV, anyone? - I have a basic safety suggestion instead:
Don't get drunk and walk along a canal.
Following this simple advice will save families from grief. It will also save taxpayers from enormous expenditures on devices designed to substitute technology for common sense.
Let's have more personal responsibility, not more CCTV.”
by Kulgan, Crydee
Sunday, October 31 2010, 7:50AM
“I totally agree with you Graham. You could make everything safe and we would all be in bubble-wrap and never leave our houses. Life is risky and managing those risks is living.”
by Graham, Whetstone
Saturday, October 30 2010, 5:58PM
“I'm sure the campaigners are disappointed, and I hope the council approach the proposals with an open mind, however we can't wrap the whole world up in bubble wrap, cotton wool and airbags... ultimately there's some personal responsibility that needs to be applied too.”