More fences

A BODY is found in the [Bristol] floating harbour and the call goes out for more fences to ensure safety, writes Jennifer MacGillivray.

While I feel very sorry for the families of the people who have drowned, and we do seem to have had a lot recently, I question whether fences are the answer.

Drink involved

Yes they would stop somebody accidentally walking into the water, but so many of the deaths recently seem to have had drink involved. To many high spirited drunks a fence is just another challenge, I well remember a group of jovial drunk youths attempting to walk along the top of the existing railing in Bath!

If someone is suffering depression and can see drowning as the only way out, most fences would not form a deterrent.

No, I don't have a solution, but I worry that the powers that be see fences as the easy option, shows that they have done something, when what they have actually done is fenced in the boaters, who for the most part treat the water with respect.