Reservoir walkers bombarded with NINE health and safety warnings
WALKERS at a reservoir are being bombarded with nine safety warning signs — including one about being hit by fishing lines.
A cluttered post full of warnings has appeared on a path skirting the stunning Tunstall Reservoir in Wolsingham, Co Durham.
The two-mile loop is popular with walkers thanks to its gentle terrain.
But Northumbria Water, which manages the area, has gone to town on signs warning people of no swimming, no unauthorised watersports, no fires and that all dogs must be kept on a lead.
People are also warned about deep water, while other dangers include soft ground, sudden drops and back casting from anglers.
A final sign says “don’t be a tragic story this summer”.
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Walker Alex Elliott, 18, who told The Sun of the signs, said: “It’s health and safety gone mad and must have cost a small fortune to have a team install them.
“There’s nothing wrong with a warning about the dangers of water.
But I’m not sure anyone has died yet from soft ground or people hit by a fishing line.
“It’s madness and a shame to see the countryside littered like this.”
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Brett Stinton, head of safety, health and environment for Northumbrian Water said: “The signage at our reservoir sites is proportionate to the risks people take by entering, or going on to, the water at a reservoir.
“Reservoirs aren’t like lakes.
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"They are engineering with different currents and working parts under the surface which add to dangers such as cold water shock and can kill.
“We would rather have what some people may consider ‘too much signage’ than not do everything we can to avoid a tragedy in our reservoirs.”
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