York MP calls for urgent River Ouse safety improvements

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 06:19 · Archive

York Central MP Rachael Maskell has called for urgent safety improvements on the River Ouse following two emergency closures of Ouse Bridge within three days in early October. The bridge, which links Micklegate with Low Ousegate, closed on Saturday, October 3, after North Yorkshire police officers, firefighters and paramedics responded to reports of a teenage girl on the wrong side of the bridge's wall at around 8pm. She later received welfare support. The bridge closed again on Monday, October 5, after emergency services received reports of a 14-year-old girl who had climbed over the barrier above the river. She was later arrested on suspicion of carrying a bladed article and has since been released on conditional bail.

Ms Maskell said she was frustrated over inertia in improving safety along the waterway which runs through York's city centre. She called for authorities to see the urgency in improving safety before another life was lost. Her call also comes around three years after the death of 16-year-old Leah Bedford in September 2023. The Acomb teenager's body was recovered from the river near Terry Avenue, and a coroner was later unable to establish the cause of her death. Ouse Bridge has closed due to multiple incidents involving safety and welfare concerns and disorderly behaviour over the past year.

How it is being reported

• 'Frustration' over York river safety prompts call for action to 'save lives'There is an urgent need to make York's River Ouse safer following incidents on one of its bridges which has repeatedly closed due to emergencies, a leading local politician has said.The Press (York) · 10 Oct, 05:00
• 'Frustration' over York river safety prompts call for action to 'save lives'There is an urgent need to make York's River Ouse safer following incidents on one of its bridges which has repeatedly closed due to emergencies, a leading local politician has said.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 10 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Rachael Maskell · River Ouse · Ouse Bridge · Leah Bedford · York · North Yorkshire

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