Online campaign launched in bid to make River Severn safer
A Facebook campaign and online petition has been launched calling for the River Severn in Shrewsbury to be made safer.
The ‘Make our river safer’ campaign has been launched by friends Ben Evans, Sharon Stevens and Simon Tildesley.
A Facebook group was launched on 1 January following news that the body of Daniel Hodgin who went missing following a night out in Shrewsbury was discovered by divers in the River Severn at Cressage.
The group has seen almost 5,000 people show support so far, with an online petition launched only yesterday gaining over 1,500 signatures.
Campaigner Ben Evans was friends with 24-year-old Josh Wreford, from Radbrook, who drowned in the river after a night out in Shrewsbury in August 2010.
The group want Shropshire Council to recognise the risk to life from the River Severn in Shrewsbury, by installing adequate safety measured along the riverside. They also would like to see adequate and constant lighting along the paths adjacent to the river along with barriers to be positioned in key areas.
The campaigners also request that access to paths adjacent to the river, should be closed and locked of a night time where possible and CCTV should be placed in key areas adjacent to the river, to monitor paths, embankment and river.
An increased number of Street Pastors of an evening and for pubs, bars and clubs to take more responsibility and not serve people that are intoxicated is also on their list of suggestions.
To view the facebook group visit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Make-our-river-safer/849657755057297
The petition is online at www.change.org
