Somerset Council
Local Authority / Fire Service
Action Planned
Somerset Council is installing additional safety signage at Burnham on Sea Jetty to highlight the risks associated with strong currents and completing line painting on the lower part of the jetty advising against access, with completion due by 30th November 2024. (AI summary)
View full response
Dear Mrs Marsh,
Report to Prevent Future Deaths case reference: 17900868
Thank you for your letter and investigative report (dated 19th September 2024) into the sad death of Peter Ivor Jeffery, which was made in accordance with Paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and Regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013. In providing this response to the Report, we offer our sincere condolences to Mr Jeffery’s family. Action to Address Concerns Raised On behalf of Somerset Council, I now want to outline our response to the Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths concerning the death of Mr Jeffery (“the Report”), which identified matters of concern and recommended that action be taken to prevent future deaths. The matters of concern identified by the Coroner are outlined below: “Whilst there are multiple signs in existence at the location, not all of these are for public safety, some focus on more ‘administrative’ matters such as the closure of gates and the prohibition of parking on the jetty. Whilst this issues are undoubtedly important in the smooth administration of the public space, the consequences of such are not life threatening and the size and prominence of such administrative signs and surprising when compared with the signage that conveys potentially life-saving information.
I am concerned that the risks posed by entering the water (which appear equal to, if not greater than, the risks posed by the mud and sand) are not prominently and clearly displayed to those who lack local knowledge, especially out of ‘season’. This may cause people to misinterpret or underestimate the dangers posed by the undercurrent and rip-
tides which, of course, are under the surface of the water and so not immediately obvious or visible.
As such people may continue to make ill-advised decisions to enter the water; water which has the power and ability to overwhelm even the strongest of adult swimmers within seconds.”
Somerset Council has reviewed the provision of safety signage at Burnham on Sea Jetty. In order to address the concerns that have been raised Somerset Council is installing additional safety signage at Burnham on Sea Jetty. This new signage specifically and clearly highlights the risks associated with the strong currents that occur around the jetty. This signage is to be displayed prominently at the entrance to the jetty. In addition, line painting is being completed on the lower part of the jetty advising against access stating “Dangerous Currents no Access” I have attached below a copy of the signage to be installed at the entrance to the jetty.
The work has been ordered and the signs and line painting are due to be installed on or before the 30th November 2024. Once the signage and line painting have been completed a further update will be issued to the Coroner with photographs of the signage in place. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Report to Prevent Future Deaths case reference: 17900868
Thank you for your letter and investigative report (dated 19th September 2024) into the sad death of Peter Ivor Jeffery, which was made in accordance with Paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and Regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013. In providing this response to the Report, we offer our sincere condolences to Mr Jeffery’s family. Action to Address Concerns Raised On behalf of Somerset Council, I now want to outline our response to the Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths concerning the death of Mr Jeffery (“the Report”), which identified matters of concern and recommended that action be taken to prevent future deaths. The matters of concern identified by the Coroner are outlined below: “Whilst there are multiple signs in existence at the location, not all of these are for public safety, some focus on more ‘administrative’ matters such as the closure of gates and the prohibition of parking on the jetty. Whilst this issues are undoubtedly important in the smooth administration of the public space, the consequences of such are not life threatening and the size and prominence of such administrative signs and surprising when compared with the signage that conveys potentially life-saving information.
I am concerned that the risks posed by entering the water (which appear equal to, if not greater than, the risks posed by the mud and sand) are not prominently and clearly displayed to those who lack local knowledge, especially out of ‘season’. This may cause people to misinterpret or underestimate the dangers posed by the undercurrent and rip-
tides which, of course, are under the surface of the water and so not immediately obvious or visible.
As such people may continue to make ill-advised decisions to enter the water; water which has the power and ability to overwhelm even the strongest of adult swimmers within seconds.”
Somerset Council has reviewed the provision of safety signage at Burnham on Sea Jetty. In order to address the concerns that have been raised Somerset Council is installing additional safety signage at Burnham on Sea Jetty. This new signage specifically and clearly highlights the risks associated with the strong currents that occur around the jetty. This signage is to be displayed prominently at the entrance to the jetty. In addition, line painting is being completed on the lower part of the jetty advising against access stating “Dangerous Currents no Access” I have attached below a copy of the signage to be installed at the entrance to the jetty.
The work has been ordered and the signs and line painting are due to be installed on or before the 30th November 2024. Once the signage and line painting have been completed a further update will be issued to the Coroner with photographs of the signage in place. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.