Isle of Wight Green Party candidate for Freshwater North, Daniel James, believes the risk of a tragic accident on an Island beach is not being taken seriously by the Isle of Wight Council.
Last summer, Daniel became concerned by the removal of the buoy lane for motorised boats using Colwell slipway and made an official complaint. The Isle of Wight Council’s response was to claim that there was no statutory duty on the Council to provide a safe beach, or to prosecute breaches of the bathing safety bylaw that applies to many stretches of the Island’s coast.
Colwell beach has long been popular with families who enjoy swimming there, due to its easy access from Freshwater, its large area of sand and its gentle waves. Despite a sign reminding the public of the bylaw regulating the speed of motorised craft from April to October, lack of enforcement means propeller boats now pass directly through the area where children swim, according to Mr James.
With the Easter holidays due to start, the Council has left the buoys in storage and claims that they cannot be replaced in the water, due to budget cuts.
Daniel commented:
“The danger of mixing motorised craft and propellers with swimmers, some of whom may be underwater, should be obvious. I am disappointed that the repeated refusal to enforce an existing byelaw has already taken up more Council time than putting out the buoys would have done.
“Clearly, the primary reason for the buoy lane and the speed limit was to protect swimmers. Otherwise there would have been no need for the byelaw to have been created in the first place. Offences under the byelaw have taken place at Colwell on numerous occasions. I am fully willing and able to provide a sworn statement to this effect, but the Council will not take action.”
