The campaign has received a significant boost with news of new equipment for Fenland based fire crews due to be issued shortly to help with water related rescues.

The details emerged following a two hour meeting between Cambridgeshire Chief Fire Officer Graham Stagg, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Barclay, and Fenland Road Safety Campaign Organiser, Graham Chappell which all parties described as very constructive.  The meeting built on research undertaken by the fire service into how improvements can be made to local road safety.

With 20 road traffic accidents in the county involving water in the last 18 months, the majority of which have been on Fenland roads, the enhanced equipment for local crews is great news said Steve.  He welcomed the positive response of the Fire Service who expressed a clear desire to help address this long running issue.

This safety equipment, together with speed cameras being installed by the council to slow vehicles down and the prospect of barriers at the highest risk areas will all help to address the lessons of the fatal accident at Bedlam Bridge in which 9 year old Charlotte Walker was tragically killed, said Mr Barclay.

The equipment to be issued will include dry suits to help with rescues in shallow water, particularly where a vehicle is partially submerged.  At present Fenland fire officers faced with such an accident would have to stay on the bank due to health and safety requirements.  Equipment designed for rescues on thin ice with an inflatable pathway is also due to be rolled out across the district, which can also be used in certain water related rescues.

A further positive boost to the Fenland Road Safety Campaign was news that the Fire Service met on Friday 31st July with senior officers at Cambridgeshire County Council to discuss safety on the Fenland roads.

Mr Chappell said "I was greatly impressed and encouraged by both Steve Barclay and CFO Stagg's commitment to making progress with the issues around Fen waterway road safety. I very much welcome the proposed developments to improve local Fire and Rescue Service Officers' operational capabilities and personal safety when dealing with waterway related Road Traffic Accidents. The additional proposal of possible Fire Service support with the process of securing river road safety infrastructure improvements, including targeted barrier installation on certain Fen river roads, was an unexpected but very welcome bonus. I am now hopeful that last Friday's meeting between senior Fire Service and County Council Officers will have provided an opportunity for even further progress."



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