Keep out of the canal

RESIDENTS hoping to take a dip in the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal this summer have been advised to keep out.

With Canal & River Trust telling that 63% per cent of all accidental UK drownings in 2023 occurred at inland waters, Trevor Mapstone reports.

Excellent places

And Richard Joyce at the trust telling:

“Spending time on the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal is a lovely way to spend a summers' day and is an excellent place for families to explore during the warm weather.

"But it’s also important that people, especially children and teenagers, are aware of the dangers of cooling off by going for a dip.

"The consequences can be devastating.

“Inland waterways, like canals, rivers, reservoirs and docks, can look really inviting but you can’t tell what is below the surface. Even if you are familiar with a stretch of water, it doesn’t mean there aren’t risks.

"Everyone is welcome to the waterways this summer, but please keep to the waterside or take part in one of our paddle-boarding sessions.”

Locks are not swimming pools and have hidden cills, which can seriously injure someone should they jump in, whilst weirs have strong currents which can pull even the strongest swimmers under the water.