Shropshire Star

Lighting vital by riverside

I see there is more fencing going up on the River Seven from the railway bridge to the footbridge that leads to Underdale Road. This will change the environment of the river forever. We must ask ourselves the question ‘will it make the river path any safer'? I do understand that it is to try and stop people falling into the river late at night. It must be terrible to lose a loved one in this way and the pain for family and friends can never go away.

Published
The River Severn in Shrewsbury

I am not sure that a fence on just a small section of the river will stop this happening again. Is it worth spending thousands of pounds on fencing?

Since l moved here just over two half years go l have really enjoyed walking and cycling along the main section of the River Seven specially with it being so open. I lived in London for 46 years and in the 1980s I set up a city farm (30 acres) in East London Isle of Dogs, the River Thames being on three sides of the park and farm. The question that arose then was should the Port of London with the help of the GLC fence in the River Thames in case children and adults fell in? After much discussions it was decided to only put fences up in a few key areas, and leave the rest open.

The local authority for a number years provided free swimming lessons for both adults and children, with in the local area. The local pubs at the weekends provided at least one person to keep an eye on people leaving the pub at closing times. There were then groups like the Shrewsbury Street Pastors who were on duty late at night into the early hours at the weekend around the river. I am of the opinion that the best way/solution is to make sure there is a good lighting system along the walk way by the river I believe this is extremely important.

The other night I went from the Quarry to the footbridge towards Underdale and for a big part of the walk there were no lights this makes walking by the river dangerous and unsafe. The way that the Thames Authority made the area by the River Thames safer was to put up very good lighting along the Thames path.

We need to make sure there is a good lighting system along the footpaths by the River Seven in the Shrewsbury Town area. This is the best way forward to spend money on lights rather than on steel fences.

John Goodwin, Shrewsbury