Rules could be scrapped to open up swimming spot
ASAFE swimming spot could be piloted next year in the harbour as pressure mounts on Bristol City Council to scrap unpopular rules banning swimmers.
Few details are known yet about the pilot but the mayor said the council is exploring how a such a spot could work.
Swimming in the harbour and the river Avon in the city is currently banned under a council byelaw.
But this ban could be lifted, according to Bristol mayor Marvin Rees, responding to calls from campaigners and thousands of petitioners to make wild swimming safer.
Last month swimmers gathered outside City Hall to call on the council to scrap the byelaw and support plans to apply for bathing water status at Conham River Park.
The Conham Bathing group said the byelaw was the final obstacle in getting their application sent off.
Mr Rees said: “We know many people want the opportunity to enjoy open water safely. We have therefore listened to people’s requests for a safe swimming space in the harbour, and are actively working to make this request a reality, with a view to piloting something next year. We’re currently working through operational requirements to enable this, and will share more details on these plans shortly.”
The mayor revealed details of the pilot in a late written response to a petition presented at a full council meeting on October 18.
Lifting the swimming ban could take another two years, according to the mayor. Without the ban, the council is concerned it could be legally liable if any swimmers came to harm. Safety risks include cold water shock, getting hit by a boat, strong currents, illness and infection.
Mr Rees added: “We have been asked to review and remove the byelaws that prohibit swimming. This cannot be done in isolation, however the legislation to our harbour estate will be reviewed in the next couple of years, and I have asked this be considered as part of that process.”
The main issue for swimmers at Conham River Park is pollution. Wessex Water regularly pumps untreated sewage into the river, causing harmful levels of faecal bacteria to enter the water.
If Conham River Park was officially granted bathing water status by the Environment Agency, that would lead to tighter rules. The council, which owns that stretch of the river, previously told campaigners it couldn’t support their application due to the byelaw banning swimming.