Local residents are concerned that a new footbridge across the New River poses a risk to children, who might fall into deep water through large gaps in the fencing on either side.
The wooden footbridge was opened on 8th March, replacing an old metal bridge linking the eastern end of Park Avenue to Hazelwood Recreation Ground.
One of the first people to walk across the reopened bridge was Pamela Ramtohul, who set up the Park Avenue and New River Crescent Neighbourhood Watch and administers its Facebook page. She explains that the danger was pointed out to her by a cyclist who's a regular visitor to Hazelwood Rec. He thought that the water at this point is about 5' 4" deep. He suggests that the bridge should be made safe by attaching latticed wiring to the lower half of the bridge.
Another visitor to the Facebook page said that "little kids love to lean over to feed the ducks" so could fall through the space between the horizontal bars.
