Work will start tomorrow on installing temporary railings along Weymouth Harbour
BUT alternative seating will be provided
Work to install temporary railings along part of Weymouth Harbour will start tomorrow. (Thursday 8th April)
Dorset Council now says alternative seating will be provided after criticism that people will no longer be able to sit there.
The railings have been recommended by the Health and Safety Executive to protect people from falling into the harbour.
There have been 11 incidents and three fatalities in the last 10 years.
There's been criticism from local councillors who claim they haven't been consulted.
A petition to stop the railings from being installed has now gained more 3,000 signatures.
In a statement to Greatest Hits Radio Dorset, Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment at Dorset Council, said:
"The temporary railings proposed for Weymouth Harbour are just one part of a range of public realm improvements to Custom House Quay which we consulted on between 13 January and 24 February this year. The addition of temporary railings was included following advice from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ensure that we adequately protected people from falling in the harbour.
"Highways officers are due to begin installation of the temporary safety railings this Thursday, 8 April, which will stay in place until after the summer season. Then, we will seek feedback from residents and users of the harbour on how these improvements may be made to balance safety with all uses of the Custom House Quay area.
"We will ensure all residents and users of the harbour will have an opportunity to have their say and will continue to liaise with the HSE on any further proposals.
"Over the last decade we are aware of three fatalities and at least 11 incidents of people accidentally falling into the harbour, most recently in January this year. We have a duty to ensure we have measures in place to prevent future accidents.
"The Harbours Committee, as duty holders, were briefed on these discussions with the HSE at the previous two committee meetings and advised that the space would be continually risk assessed as the Custom House Quay area was developed.
"An agreed 72 hour pause to the installation of the railings ends tomorrow, so work to start the installation of the temporary railings will begin on Thursday 8 April, ahead of the expected increase in visitors. Alternative seating along the harbour will be provided as part of the scheme."