Council party leaders in river safety call

They say it is vital to raise awareness of the dangers posed by York’s rivers, following three drownings so far this year, including bartender Richard Horrocks who died after jumping off a balcony.

Green councillor Andy D’Agorne, whose Fishergate ward includes the riverside path from the city centre to the Millennium Bridge, said he had seen teenagers on hot summer days jumping from the bridge into the river, fortunately without ill effects.

He said: “While this might seem like fun, it is very dangerous, especially if alcohol has been consumed beforehand.”

He revealed that last year, he had got the council to install temporary chestnut-pale fencing to protect new planting intended to close off an area of woodland that sloped steeply down to the River Foss, near Blue Bridge.

“My concern was partly that it is a dark wooded area and anyone late at night might well see it as somewhere to relieve themselves, not knowing they could easily slip unnoticed into the hidden river below.” Labour council leader James Alexander said any death of this nature was harrowing and his thoughts were with the families who had lost loved ones.

“Campaigns like this educate people of the unintended dangers of some reckless actions that seem fun at the time,” he said.

“The council and the Labour group are grateful for this campaign.”

Liberal Democrat leader Carol Runciman said that while drink was not always a factor in river accidents, it did make the risks much higher.

“Sadly, people all too frequently have too much drink and do not realise that even if they can swim, their ability to do so is impaired.

“Therefore it is important that drinkers are made more aware of the risks and that they drink and act responsibly.

“Bar staff also need to be aware of the potential dangers of serving someone who is already had too much to drink in a city with bars so close to the river.”

Tory group leader Ian Gillies has already lent the campaign his support.