Evening Times - March 02, 2006
Hero fears free parks access will lead to rise in drownings
VISITORS to parks in Glasgow are to be given free access to swim or go boating on ponds and rivers under new rules.
But today parks bosses and a city hero who has saved hundreds from drowning warned the move could be dangerous and even cost lives.
New legislation means people are no longer banned from using any stretch of water.
George Parsonage of the Glasgow Humane Society has saved around 1500 people from the Clyde and recovered around 500 bodies.
Today he said, “This new law is lunacy as there will be literally hundreds of accidents.
In the past adults and children have been allowed to paddle swim or boat on water attractions in Glasgow Parks only with the express permission of council bosses.
However the 2003 Land Reform Act states that swimming or wading is allowed on any Lake Loch pond river canal or stream.
Activities such as canoeing rafting rowing and sailing are also now allowed under the legislation. And as a result, city council bosses have been forced to change the rules covering park management.
Some people in one Glasgow Park today welcomed the move saying it would bring back life to ponds.
However parks convenor Aileen Colleran said “Nearly every summer someone is killed after jumping into a river. People should know it is an incredibly dangerous thing to do.
Parks boss Kenny Boyle said signs will be put up in certain areas warning people about the danger of swimming.
He added “Swimming at the weir on the Clyde in Glasgow Green would be suicide. We will put up signs telling visitors not to swim because they are endangering their lives.
The legislation also means all Parks in the City should be open 24 hrs a day seven days a week but Park bosses are determined that the Botanic Gardens Titwood Tollcross and Victoria Parks will remain locked at night.
Mr Parsonage warned that anyone swimming in the Clyde could also be at risk of contracting water borne diseases including cryptosporidium.
Symptoms include diarrhoea, dehydration, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, fever nausea and vomiting.
In Our Opinion Parks access must not hit safety Rules on what you can and can’t do in Glasgow Parks exist not to dampen people’s fun but to keep them safe.
Preventing people from using the City’s many ponds and Lochs without permission has undoubtedly saved lives over the years.
Park bosses are therefore understandably concerned that applying new legislation, which allows unhindered access to the City’s water attractions, could send out the wrong message.
The legislation forcing these changes was aimed at opening up rural areas. Having to apply it in an urban setting is not in the spirit of the law and jeopardises the priority, which is to let people safely enjoy Glasgow’s Parks.