Dawlish Discussion

Dawlish Sea Wall Safety

At the Town Council meeting this evening Councillors decided to note the correspondence from HM Coroner’s Office, and accepted the offer of interested person status at the inquest proceedings of Albina Yevko.

The Town Council will submit a statement regarding its views about the requirement for prospective safety measures on the sea wall and its view as to the current position in relation to who is responsible for the maintenance of the sea wall.

Councillors also agreed to appoint Cllr Rosie Dawson to attend the Network Rail workshop as and when institgated in relation to the sea wall risk assessment currently being undertaken, and delegated authority to the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Mayor, to meet with representatives of Network Rail to discuss safety concerns and report back to an appropriate meeting of the Town Council.

The Council also decided to write to Teignbridge District Council about reviewing their safety measures for areas of the sea wall they may be responsible for.

Takes a death before this lot do anything....

Whatever has happened to people using common sense?

@carer 

Could never understand why there was no fence as a small child would always want to go too the edge foe a look, an elderley person could stumble due to potholes on the walkway, a strong gust of wind, horseplay from teenagers etc etc..... The issue is compounded by the length of drop and its sheer rock at the base, not sand which otherwise might gives less a of dangeroua landing. I know what you are saying as regards common sense but with kids and  with people with no common sense ......

The inquest is taking an awfully long time.

The press have reported ill mental health, which wouldn't be surprising for a young girl and the trauma of war-torn Ukraine, being made a refugee, coming to a strange country, etc. Then reports that Mother and daughter were happy and settling well here, then reports of a cardiac arrest, no suspicious activity based on her phone, CCTV footage, etc and it being an accident.

Then it becomes yet another campaign organized by Cllr Rosie Dawson, this time concerning safety. The friend of the 17 year who tragically fell from the wall 31 years ago gets involved, joining the campaign. Yet his friend's death may have been avoided had he not been drinking alcohol. So shouldn't a safety campaign also focus on educating people on the dangers of becoming intoxicated in coastal areas and where there are sheer drops. Should there be warning signs? Or should we fence of the entire sea wall and the top of Langstone Rock too? What about Other cliff areas and the summits of Dartmoor Tors?

Until the inquest concludes we don't really know why Albina Yevko died and whether it was an accident and solely down to the lack of safety railings. And we may never know. We don't really know if it's about common sense. But even if the public funds were available should all taxpayers be funding expensive safety infraestructure to protect the occasional person who falls off the wall - for whatever reason?

The inquest taking such a long time makes me think it's more than just about safety, but that's the narrative being pushed.