United front against railings along dockside
MEMBERS of Bristol's Harbourside Forum united in their opposition to plans to put new railings up at the edge of the city docks.
The forum, which brings businesses using the docks together with councillors and public bodies including the emergency services, met last night to discuss a report which recommended installing railings at Princes Wharf.
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Princes Wharf by M shed where the council is looking to install railings
Docks services manager Richard Smith had warned the harbour users that action needed to be taken to bring the quayside near the M shed museum into line with guidelines produced by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
Mr Smith told them that, given the rise in the number of people using Princes Wharf since the opening of the museum and the risk of somebody tripping over on the harbour railway track, it was "only a matter of time" before an incident occurred – and that the council would have trouble defending itself in a legal action if it had not followed ROSPA's advice.
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But the railings scheme is being opposed by boat users, who say railings make it more difficult for crew members to get on and off vessels, and would attract youngsters who would climb and sit on them, above moored boats.
Among those opposed to the scheme is the skipper of historic replica sailing ship The Matthew, who spoke out in yesterday's Post.
He was joined at last night's meeting by the director of the ss Great Britain Trust, Matthew Tanner, who pointed out that the report included figures which showed that no accidents had recently been recorded in areas without railings, whereas five had been reported where railings were already installed.
The forum, whose members include Harbourside entertainment venues as well as businesses that use the water itself, will now pass its views to Liberal Democrat cabinet councillor Dr Jon Rogers and there are likely to be further discussions before a final decision is reached.
Speaking afterwards, the Conservative spokesman on the forum, Richard Eddy, said: "I am delighted a knowledgeable but independent body, such as the Harbourside Forum, has spoken out with one voice against the hare-brained scheme to install railings on Bristol's historic dockside.
"That is no guarantee that this politically correct measure would actually reduce risk and a great deal of evidence that railings will destroy the authentic look of our docks and undermine mariners' interests.
"I trust that the council cabinet will now listen to those who know and care about the Harbourside and torpedo this frankly ridiculous notion."
Mr Salvidge said: "It was a good meeting and lots of people voiced their opinions, which were unanimously against the railings."
Comments
by ogeron
Wednesday, March 06 2013, 12:17PM
“I wonder what the views of Cllr Eddy and the forum members are following today's tragedy?”
by Local_Andy
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 10:43PM
“I'm sure the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents does a lot of good work but it does sound like something straight out of Monty Python. Surely the stats bear out the point. Signs should suffice. And council's like signs...”
by PortisheadAH1
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 9:33PM
“Signs warning of the risk is all that is needed to satisfy Health & Safety and insurance companies. When Bristol City Council locked anglers out from historically using Portishead Pier, we fought and won. Another campaign is on for reinstating access to the sea wharf at Portishead. One landowner raised the fear of someone drowning if the tide breached the wall. Firstly, this is a rare occurrence last happening in 1988 and secondly, signs warning of the danger are all that is needed. Thirdly, if the weather conditions and tidal conditions were a threat, flood warnings would be issued and hopefully nobody would be silly enough to risk their safety ignoring them. Life is about balance, not about barricading everything off. How can kids of today learn safety if dangers are covered up. All accidents are tragic but they will sadly always happen, irrespective of warnings.”
by BCFCfinker
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 8:23PM
“@DockLobster
By the looks of it, DK doesn't know when this incident happened or how it happened. He's just put some thoughts forward. That hard evidence that barriers would have helped in that particular case... not.
I'm surprised you haven't called anyone who disagrees with you a fascist.”
by DockLobster
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 8:09PM
“I cant believe Dr Kennedy has received negative arrows for pointing out that someone did actually die at the Docks.
You Tories really are low lives.”
by BCFCfinker
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 3:04PM
“@patcrosse
Has anyone asked the council insurers if that's the case?
This story was originally about ROSPA guidelines so it appears that no actual risk assessment has taken place. It's blind adherence without actually knowing what you're adhering to.
Go figure.”
by katachua
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 1:22PM
“@patcrose
"Stupid it may be but the Councils insurance will not protect them if they ignore firm H and S advice ,and individual officers and Cllr Rogers could be sued if someone falls in and drowns."
What firm H & S advice? Has anyone asked the HSE? ROSPA is a purely voluntary body.”
by patcrose
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 12:39PM
“Stupid it may be but the Councils insurance will not protect them if they ignore firm H and S advice ,and individual officers and Cllr Rogers could be sued if someone falls in and drowns.”
by dungbob
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 12:28PM
“If railings keep you safe then I expect to see them alongside every single road, every canal towpath, as well as on every public footpath - although woodland paths will need to be levelled as well to reduce trip hazards - I see no reason to stop at the docks. The fact that few people fall into the docks, compared with the thousands injured by vehicles, should not put us off of this course of action.
And due to the historic nature of the docks, i expect to see all railings cast using original technology and installation techniques, don't think we can be fobbed off with cheap aluminium ones.”
by smoosername
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 11:56AM
“I think emptying the docks and making the worlds largest ball pool is the only way forward myself.”