'Matter of time' before rail death, weir owner says

A row has erupted over railway safety at a wild swimming spot where its owner claims it is "only a matter of time" before somebody is killed.

Warleigh Weir, near Bath, is visited by thousands of people but the site is only accessible by a footpath that crosses a busy railway line.

Landowner Johnny Palmer said he received "inadequate" responses after he raised concerns about safety at the site. Some pedestrians have been ignoring warning lights and alarms, and posing for photos on the line.

The local council said it "strongly" advised people to be aware of the risks it has higlighted to Palmer "repeatedly". One councillor said it was "deeply irresponsible" to visit the site.

Palmer purchased the site that sits alongside the River Avon in 2018.

As well as a wild swimming spot, it offers a sauna which he opened last year.

Palmer said he was aware of previous issues like littering and antisocial behaviour at the site but incidents of trespassing on the Great Western mainline were "getting worse".

He said some visitors ignore the warning lights and alarms alongside the rail line and trespass on the tracks to pose for photos.

"People are coming on my land to swim - which they're absolutely welcome to do - but in doing so, they have to treat the railway lines responsibly.

"This is not a question of if someone gets killed at Warleigh Weir - it is a question of when," he said.

Palmer said he always tried to raise issues with visitors and although the "vast majority" behave sensibly, he said some continued to ignore the risks.

A spokesperson for the British Transport Police (BTP) said trespassing on rail lines was illegal and put lives in "immediate danger".

The spokesperson said: "Trains travel far faster and quieter than people expect, they can't stop quickly and electrified rails are always live.

"Every trespass incident not only risks serious injury or worse but also causes major disruption for passengers and freight across the network."

Network Rail, which works closely with the BTP, said warning systems like lights, alarms and signs were there for a reason.

"We remind all crossing users to follow the instructions provided, obey the warning lights and alarms, ensure gates are properly closed behind them and never stop on the crossing."

Both agencies said their officers regularly patrolled known hotspot locations to deter misuse and trespassing.

Palmer said the authorities had been "a little bit resistant" to engage with him about implementing safety measures and controlling access to the site.

He said he intended to fund all associated infrastructure himself, including a managed access system that would require every visitor to complete a safety induction about railway hazards before they were permitted to cross.

However, he claimed Bath and North East Somerset Council refused to close the public footpath to the site as it was "heavily used".

He said: "That is not an argument for keeping it open - that is the argument for closing it."

BANES councillor Manda Rigby said the authority had "serious and ongoing concerns" about Warleigh Weir.

"We want to be absolutely clear this is an unauthorised privately-owned bathing site," she said.

"The site is unmanaged, yet people are being actively encouraged to visit by the landowner, who appears to be hosting events and commercial activities that are drawing increasing numbers of visitors."

Rigby said that visiting the site was "deeply irresponsible" and said there were risks with people crossing the live railway line, accessing the site from a nearby busy A road and swimming in water without lifeguards present.

"We have raised these concerns with the landowner repeatedly over a number of years and have tried to work constructively to resolve them," she said.

"However, the situation remains a matter of serious concern."

The authority "strongly" advised people to stay aware of the risks in visiting Warleigh Weir and urged Palmed to "take responsibility and stop encouraging" visitors to the site.

The warning comes after at least 16 people reported vomiting and diarrhoea after swimming at Farleigh Hungerford, on the River Frome near Bath.

Site operators Farleigh and District Swimming Club said the water quality was "low risk" days before the visitors suffered symptoms, while Wessex Water - which has monitoring equipment at the site - rated the water as "good".

According to the company's same technology at Warleigh Weir, the River Avon is also rated "low risk".

However, the water company said the equipment "only provides a guide" and is "subject to a margin of error" in its hourly updates.

"There are no guarantees, conditions or warranties that the information is current, accurate or complete," they said.

Avon and Somerset Police said officers had recently received reports of crime and anti-social behaviour at Warleigh Weir.

A spokesperson said it was planning patrols in the area in a bid to tackle ongoing problems.

"We are also working with the local authority and the landowner to better understand the concerns that have been raised and to ensure appropriate measures are considered," they said.

"This includes assessing whether there are any immediate or long-term safety measures that can be taken, with due consideration being given to the proximity of the site to both road and rail networks."

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