Canal River Trust
Charity / Third Sector
Noted
AI-generated response summary
• The Trust undertook an investigation visit to the bridge. • The Trust's Health and Safety Advisor and the respondent separately inspected the steps. • The Trust confirmed the step surface was rough and showed little sign of wear.
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Dear Mr Turnbull RE: Ian Sidney Martin (Deceased)
— Gallows Footbridge, Skipton Further to your letter dated I May 2014 informing Canal & River Trust of the tragic death of Mr Martin on 9 January 2014 who fell down the steps at Bridge 179 (Gallows Bridge) in Skipton, I write in response to your report. I would extend our sincere condolences and sympathy to the family of Mr Martin. I would confirm that we were unaware of the incident until notified by the local newspaper some months after. The emergency services do not always notify us of incidents on the canals that the Canal & River Trust (the Trust) manages. As soon as we were made aware we undertook an investigation visit to the bridge. We have given your report very careful thought, and can confirm that public safety is the highest priority for the Trust. We note from the Regulation 28 Report that on the date of the accident in January it had been raining and that being evening it would have been dark. The report states that the steps were wet, slippery and worn. The Trust’s Health and Safety Advisor and I have both separately inspected the steps and are able to confirm that the step surface is rough in finish giving no indication of being likely to be slippery when wet. The surface of the steps is good with little sign of wear despite the footbridge taking very heavy footfall being located adjacent to the bus station into Skipton, There is a handrail on one side of the steps. Photographs that were taken by the Safety Advisor at the time of his visit are attached for your information. North West Waterways Canal & River Trust Waterside House Waterside Drive Wigan WN3 5AZ T 0303 040 4040 E enquiries.northwestcanalrivertrust.org.uk www.canalrivertrust.org.uk Patron: H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. Canal & River Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 7807276 and registered charity number 1146792, registered office address First Floor North, Station House, 500 Elder Gate, Milton Keynes MKQ 1 BB
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— Gallows Footbridge, Skipton Further to your letter dated I May 2014 informing Canal & River Trust of the tragic death of Mr Martin on 9 January 2014 who fell down the steps at Bridge 179 (Gallows Bridge) in Skipton, I write in response to your report. I would extend our sincere condolences and sympathy to the family of Mr Martin. I would confirm that we were unaware of the incident until notified by the local newspaper some months after. The emergency services do not always notify us of incidents on the canals that the Canal & River Trust (the Trust) manages. As soon as we were made aware we undertook an investigation visit to the bridge. We have given your report very careful thought, and can confirm that public safety is the highest priority for the Trust. We note from the Regulation 28 Report that on the date of the accident in January it had been raining and that being evening it would have been dark. The report states that the steps were wet, slippery and worn. The Trust’s Health and Safety Advisor and I have both separately inspected the steps and are able to confirm that the step surface is rough in finish giving no indication of being likely to be slippery when wet. The surface of the steps is good with little sign of wear despite the footbridge taking very heavy footfall being located adjacent to the bus station into Skipton, There is a handrail on one side of the steps. Photographs that were taken by the Safety Advisor at the time of his visit are attached for your information. North West Waterways Canal & River Trust Waterside House Waterside Drive Wigan WN3 5AZ T 0303 040 4040 E enquiries.northwestcanalrivertrust.org.uk www.canalrivertrust.org.uk Patron: H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. Canal & River Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 7807276 and registered charity number 1146792, registered office address First Floor North, Station House, 500 Elder Gate, Milton Keynes MKQ 1 BB
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