WATER safety in Bovey Tracey’s Mill Marsh Park is set to be taken up a notch with the introduction of new lifesaving equipment and public information boards.
The move is being made by the Town Council and will include the installation of a life buoy and throw-rope, the creation of a dedicated rescue point and flood warning signs.
The park is popular with families who enjoy not only the open space and play equipment but the River Bovey where children and dogs can often be seen in the water.
But last winter’s flooding has heightened the authority’s awareness of the need to maximise safety, hence members’ decision at the latest meeting of their Recreation, Parks and Property Committee to press ahead with the improvements.
Quotations from specialist suppliers are now being sought along with estimates for the new signs.
Cllr Martyn Evans has worked to identify potential risks and commissioned a risk assessment and water safety report last October that members have now considered.
‘ Mayor Cllr Sheila Brooke said: it is essential we take practical measures to help avoid water tragedies and I’m happy that the changes we are planning will meet that objective.
‘That said, water safety is also a matter for everyone who visits the park and there is no way we can mitigate for every eventuality so would encourage people to enjoy the river safely.
‘Parents and carers should always supervise children and no one should ever enter the water if intoxicated.
‘The new flood warning signs will clearly advise visitors not to enter the park when the river has burst its banks and the rescue point will carry the What Three Words location so that emergency services know exactly where to go if called.
‘Mill Marsh Park is a much-loved place and has, I’m pleased to say, a great safety record that we intend to keep.’
Other changes yet to come in the park could result in additional stabilisation of the river bank to reverse erosion and help with flood prevention.
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