Don't make river water your last drink say firefighters

The dangers of drinking alcohol near the water are being highlighted in a campaign by Avon Fire & Rescue Service to keep revellers in Bath safe this summer.

“Make sure river water isn’t your last drink” is the message to those out enjoying the sunshine in the run up to the August Bank Holiday weekend.

This warning comes in response to the number of rescues from water that they make in the city every year — many of them alcohol related.

Firefighters trained in water rescue at Bath Fire Station go to at least one water rescue every month and crews were also involved in searches for the student James Bubear who was tragically found dead in the River Avon following a night out in Bath.

Denis McCann from Avon Fire & Rescue Service said: “We’re realistic and understand that in the warm weather people may want to be out by the water, drinking alcohol. All we ask is that they enjoy themselves safely.

“Rivers, canals and open water can present a real danger if you’ve had a drink. The water can be extremely cold, and added to the effects of alcohol, can dramatically affect the reactions of even the strongest swimmer.

“And we are urging visitors and residents of Bath to think carefully about how they are getting home at the end of the night. If your walk home takes you past water consider an alternative route, getting a taxi, drinking less alcohol or having a glass of water between each drink to help you keep your wits about you?”

The campaign is being supported by Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bath and North East Somerset NHS, Bath Pubwatch and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

To promote the water safety campaign Avon Fire & Rescue Service has teamed up with Abbey Taxis in Bath in a competition to win a journey home from the city.

For more information go to: Free ride home    

Bath Flight restriction on the K&A

The Bath Flight of Locks  (7 to 13) on the Kennet & Avon Canal is only open between 8am and 6pm because of low water levels. 

Mooring on the flight is allowed overnight.

Please share locks whenever possible.

Hanham lock will be padlocked and out of use again tomorrow (Thursday) from 6.00am until 2.0pm while divers work at Netham Lock at the junction of the River Avon and the feeder canal into Bristol Harbour.




Contact Netham lock on  0117 9776590 for more information.

Water contamination closes K&A Pumping Station

Crofton Pumping Station on the Kennet & Avon Canal has been closed to the public following tests on the water supply that have show its domestic water supply to be contaminated. This has left the pumping station cafe, toilets and the two cottages on the site with no useable water.

Following consultation with Wiltshire Council the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust that owns the pumping station have closed it to the public until the problems can be resolved.

The water point on the canal was closed from January until mid-May because of water contamination and it was closed again earlier this week.

Truck crash closes K&A Canal

The Kennet & Avon Canal was closed yesterday afternoon after a breakdown truck crashed into a barrier on Aldermaston Lift Bridge.

The accident at 2.30pm delayed road and canal traffic until the bridge was re-opened early in the evening.

Hanham Lock closed until tomorrow afternoon — Tue 2 August 2011

Divers are working at Netham Lock at the entrance to the feeder canal into Bristol Harbour until noon on Tuesday 2 August 2011. It will not be possible to go through Hanham Lock until after the work is complete.


For more information contact Trevor Skoyles on 07711 403474

Contamination closes Crofton water point again

The waterpoint next to Crofton pumping station on the Kennet & Avon Canal is out of action again because of 'contamination'.  It was taken out of use from January to mid-May this year with the same problem.  

Until the problem is resolved boaters can get water from Great Bedwyn Wharf or immediately below Wootton Rivers Lock.