Email: Knee-jerk reaction

Once again British Waterways has triggered a knee-jerk reaction to a single incident, this time at Stourport.

For any risk assessment, the hazard and probability are combined to produce a score from which any actions are taken. In the case of unguarded walkways across lock tails, just how many falls have occurred resulting in injury or death in over 200 years of the canals?

Not enough to trigger a re-design of the structures I think.

It is enough for an organisation to have proved they carried out risk assessments and document their findings with adequate reviews. In this case the assessment has produced a stupid outcome with increased hazards for boaters

The duty of care lies not only with the owner of the structure but also with the user. What next? Will we see netting on the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct...don't even go there!

Kevin McNiff