Kind Emma saddened as council has to remove bridge coats
A WOMAN was left disappointed after her good deed to help the homeless was deemed a safety risk.
Emma Regan, a volunteer at Halifax Homeless Shelter, had the idea of hanging coats on the town’s North Bridge to help homeless and needy people keep warm in winter.
The coats were donated to her and on Sunday were placed on coat hangers and hung along the length of the bridge so people could help themselves.
Calderdale Council officials removed them later that day because safety wardens needed good visibility to monitor people using the bridge.
Emma, from Halifax, had the idea of leaving the coats on a bridge after reading about a similar scheme in Dublin.
She said: “I had seen a post saying someone had done the same in Dublin so I thought it would be nice to do it in Halifax as I’m a volunteer at the homeless shelter and I’m aware of how many people are on the streets.”
She added: “The council removed them as they wanted to keep the cameras clear.
“I understood it (the council’s decision) completely (but) I was a little disappointed.”
Cllr Jenny Lynn, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet member for public services and communities, said: “We support the idea of donating unwanted clothes to those in need, but unfortunately they couldn’t be left on North Bridge for safety reasons.
“Our safety wardens carry out regular safety monitoring of the bridge and it’s vital that there’s good visibility across the whole bridge and that nothing obstructs their view.
“We’ve contacted the organiser of the initiative and the coats that have been left already will be donated to the existing clothes bank at the St Augustines Centre charity in Halifax – where they’re also protected from the unpredictable December weather.
“The charity has offered to clean the items and they will be available to collect for those who need them, in a Covid secure way. “Calderdale is known for its kindness and as usual the response from our communities to help others has been overwhelming.
“We’re happy to support people’s charitable ideas wherever we can and are in touch with the organiser of this scheme.”
It’s vital that there’s good visibility across the bridge and that nothing obstructs our wardens’
view.