THE Abbey Walk footpath along the River Tavy should be fenced to prevent a member of the public falling into the river, according to a Health and Safety risk assessment.
But the advice was this week dismissed by Tavistock Town Council.
Councillors at the properties committee meeting on Tuesday re-affirmed their decision of last month not to fence along Abbey Walk, and recommended investigating the cost of putting up warning signs or disclaimer notices along the footpath.
The council previously decided against fencing, despite safety issues raised when an elderly lady had to be rescued from the River Tavy after falling into it by the Jubilee Arch last November.
Councillors asked for a formal risk assessment on the implications of not fencing the riverbank, which has now been completed by works superintendent Les Bennett.
The assessment said the edge of the path should be guard-rail fenced and warning signs, life-saving equipment and regular safety checks should be provided. The cost of fencing alone would be more than £10,000.
Cllr Norma Woodcock said she ?deplored? the idea of fencing the entire stretch of Abbey Walk: ?I am appalled and aghast at this recommendation.
?Abbey Walk is a very wide path and I would like to suggest people are in far more danger walking along a normal footpath in the town than along Abbey Walk.
?I think it would vandalise the most historic, beautiful riverwalk in Devon ? by putting up fencing, it would totally destroy that.?
The assessment found the risk of serious injury from falls from the footpath and small children running near the edge was unacceptable. Risk was even greater where there was footpath congestion on a busy day in the town, such as Goose Fair day.
Tavistock mayor Marjorie Corner said the assessment did not take account of the fact there had only been one incident of someone falling in the river in recent memory. She said fencing the path would not prevent another incident.
?I have seen children hanging over the existing barriers we have at the car park exit,? she said.
The council had previously provided life-saving equipment along the path, but members said this had regularly been vandalised or thrown in the river.
There are already one-metre high galvanised barriers along the path opposite the two Bedford car park exits, but the assessment recommended these be put in place along the whole 258 metres of Abbey Walk.
Councillors voted in favour of investigating the cost of painting a clear line ? similar to those used on railway platforms ? near the edge of the path.
They also recommended that signs warning people they were walking alongside the river at their own risk and asking them to take care should be erected.
The recommendation of the properties committee goes before the full council next Tuesday.