Call for safety probe follows

People living near to the River Colne, which runs under East Street, in Colchester, say they want to see better lighting, life jackets, CCTV and fencing along the river after the man, who has not yet been named by police, was discovered on Friday Concerned father, Paul Gallagher, 38, of nearby East Hill, said: “All the way down from Castle Park to the bridge there are no life jackets – there aren’t even any warning signs or fences. I rang the council about it six weeks ago, but nothing’s been done. Especially now there’s a playground near the river, I think they ought to do something to prevent accidents.”

Police believe the man’s death was an accident.

It comes after months of talks between residents and council bosses over problems with anti-social behaviour in the nearby play area and public footpath.

A resident, whose house over looks the river, said: “It is a big issue. There is no lighting along there and it is pitch black at night so you can’t walk along there and feel safe.

“I only take my children to the play park if I’m with friends or my husband because there are a lot of older children who hang around.

“I’ve seen people fighting out there, drinking and climbing up on the bridge, they could easily fall in the river.”

She added: “We really need some cameras out there as a deterrent and better lighting.”

Ian Vipond, Executive Director at Colchester Council, said the authority had made an £84,750 investment in developing the East bay area and had been consulting residents.

He said: “Together with the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive, Colchester Borough Council continues to raise awareness of, and issue safety advice concerning the dangers of swimming in rivers.”

He added: “The provision of water rescue aids is not a legal requirement for any agency.

“Water rescue aids provided by Colchester Borough Council along the River Colne have slowly been removed as a result of persistent vandalism.”