Latest news with #River Nene
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Ronalds Abele's parents say new river safety measures are lacking
The parents of a teenager who died in a river have welcomed safety improvements but said more must be done to prevent further Abele, 17, died after he was helped from the River Nene at Wellingborough embankment in Northamptonshire in May last year. Thomas Okyere and Laura Kirsteine said they were pleased with five new safety rings, lighting and improved moorings but said there were still too few safety Wilcox, North Northamptonshire Council's executive member for communities, agreed with them that there was "more to be done". Ronalds was part of a group of seven young people who swam along the embankment on during warm weather on 10 May being a strong swimmer the teenager started to struggle to stay afloat while racing with a friend in the River Nene. His parents called for improvements at a water safety day held in Ronalds' memory at the embankment last revisited the area on Friday for the annual event, which coincides with World Drowning Prevention the latest event Ms Kirsteine said two sets of safety equipment had been added to the lower lock - where Ronalds had been swimming - one to the embankment and two to the upper lock. She said: "There are definitely things that need to be done - there is only one ring on the whole stretch of the embankment, and there is a splash park just there where families are on sunny days."This is not enough because the stretch is too great if anyone falls into the water. "We would love to see more safety equipment, maybe throwlines and a defibrillator and a bleed kit."Mr Okyere added: "There is only one ring here, between the upper lock and the lower lock, so we believe there should be a couple more." Wilcox said a safety partnership between the council and emergency services was "getting somewhere"."I will take it on and make sure its carried forward because we want this to be a safe place," he asked if more signage and more equipment could be installed, he said "yes, definitely"."I promised Thomas that I will look into and put my shoulder to the wheel to make sure things are improved," he said. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Thrapston backlash over 'ludicrous' plan to fence off River Nene
Plans to fence off part of a river over concerns about anti-social behaviour have been criticised by local residents, with one calling it "expensive and ludicrous".Thrapston Town Council in Northamptonshire voted to construct a 1.5m-tall (5ft) fence along the River Nene, near Nine Arches Way, at a cost of up to £5, decision was taken after homeowners raised concerns about disturbances and littering becoming more following a public backlash over plans for the new structure, other options are to be discussed next week. A number of residents living near the river raised objections, the Local Democracy Reporting Service Balcer said: "I have never heard of anything so heavy-handed, destructive, expensive and ludicrous for a problem that is seasonal and then mostly at weekends."I would like to urge the town council to think creatively, embrace the beautiful surroundings, promote the town, community and riverside, which can be regarded only as an asset, not a problem."Others were concerned about the effect on wildlife and river access for swimmers and other recreational Penny, who lives near the river, agreed there was a problem with anti-social behaviour at the site, but said the issue needed more than a "band-aid fix" of fencing. "That behaviour needs to be tackled rather than erecting a pointless fence, which I fear would only be kicked down by the same people leaving their mess behind."Chair of Thrapston Town Council Craig Wheeler said: "The town council would like to emphasise that no final or binding action will be taken before the review takes place, and that the decision-making process will be carried out with full transparency."The council remains focused on making balanced decisions in the best interests of the town, taking into consideration public safety, access, environmental concerns, and the community's enjoyment of shared spaces."The review will take place at a public meeting on 31 July. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
