A SECTION of footpath beside the River Tavy in Tavistock is to be fenced off, following fears about pedestrian safety. The area of path is between Abbey Bridge and the weir ? the town council?s properties committee at its meeting last week heard this section was ?critical? due to the steepness of the slope from Abbey Bridge and the natural camber of the path towards the river. Cllr Brian Trew, chairman of the Meadows leisure facilities task and finish group, which recommended the fencing, said: ?It was felt by the entire committee, in respect of the qualified judgement of the works superintendent, that this was an accident waiting to happen. If anyone fell in when the river was running fast, they would go straight into the weir.? Cllr Ted Sherrell said he had ?no great enthusiasm? for fencing off any part of the river or canal ? but he accepted in today?s litigious society, perhaps it was a necessary precaution: ?I do hope this is a one off though and if we do do it, that will be an end to it.? Cllr Mandy Govier said she had seen youngsters jumping off Abbey Bridge into the river during the recent hot weather. ?If this bit is fenced off they won?t be able to get out of the river, so it might deter people from doing it,? she said. The committee agreed that £1,900 should be spent on fencing this section of the river ? with the proviso that no further areas of waterway be fenced off. The agreement has to be ratified by the full council.
