Arthuret Parish Council

Another preventable drowning in the River Esk at Longtown on Tuesday. Inadequate warnings and safety features could have prevented yet another drowning. The deep underwater caverns and ledges under the bridge are a hazard that is not visible and from which even the fittest swimmer cannot escape. This should be made very clear to everyone, especially visitors who are unaware of how very dangerous this is. There was no lifebelt at the river bank, no warnings of this great danger. The family of the drowned man is deeply affected, facing a lifetime tragedy. How much does the council save on inadequate safety measures and conversely spend on encouraging tourism? Why doesn't the council fill in these caverns? They are scoured out by the water flow and will ultimately destroy the bridge. This is a callous disregard for human life and a chronic case of inaction on the part of the people responsible for Longtown.
Feb 26th, 2016