Push For Sea Safety After Councillor's Near-Drowning Ordeal

Residents of the Isle of Wight’s largest town could get access to year-round water quality and safety information to encourage people to enjoy the sea.

Ryde Town Council (RTC) will this evening (September 22) consider Cllr Michael Lilley’s motion on safe access to blue spaces which it says supports wellbeing, community connection, education, and a sense of place.

It comes after Cllr Lilley spoke about his recent ordeal, in which he spent five days in hospital treated for an infection believed to have been caused by swallowing sea water.

He has said he is “lucky to be alive” after nearly drowning off Appley Beach on August 10.

His motion states:

“Ryde is a coastal community whose residents and visitors enjoy the sea throughout the year for swimming, paddling, watersports, recreation and simply spending time beside the water.

“Risks can arise from tides, currents, cold water and other hazards, while water quality can change following rainfall, pollution incidents and sewage discharges.”

Noting that official bathing-water monitoring is seasonal and Environment Agency (EA) advice that non-designated waters are not routinely monitored for bathing-water quality, the motion proposes several resolutions.

These include developing a year-round water safety and water quality information approach for Ryde using clear, positive and informative communications and promoting existing trusted sources of information, including EA Swimfo and Surfers Against Sewage Safer Seas and Rivers Service.

Another proposed action is exploring the establishment of a Ryde volunteer water-quality monitoring group, working with appropriate partners including charities, the EA and academics.

RTC will vote on the motion at a meeting running from 7pm at the Methodist Church on Garfield Road.

Story constructed by Local Democracy Reporter (LDR) Rufus Pickles and edited by Dominic Xisco Kureen on behalf of Isle of Wight Radio.