H&S kills boating event

A BOATING event that has been run for nearly 30 years has been killed by draconian health and safety regulations.

The organisers of the Bath Festival of Boats, that was scheduled to take place at the moorings by North Parade on the Avon, were suddenly presented with a host of health and safety regulations just eight days before the event was due to take place, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Not prepared

Such was the demand by Bath and North East Somerset Council for safety plans and risk analysis documents, that the organisers, Tony Boyce and John Dagger, declared they were not prepared to organise the festival in Bath.

In addition, for the first time, the council also wanted payment of mooring fees for the boats in advance, hardly in keeping with the council's statement that it wants to see more river-based events in the city.

Switched to Bristol

The outcome is that the two days festival was switched to Bristol, where, it is stated, the council took a much more sensible attitude towards the event.

John pointed out that they had never been asked for such a level of information eight days before the festival was due to start, and the whole aspect has been so upsetting, not only the lateness of the demands that had to be met, but the complete lack of trust in the professionalism.

He exclaimed the event had always prided itself on its high health and safety standards, and that all boats taking part were insured and had safety certificates, and was a spectacle for the city and brought in revenue from visitors.

It seems that Bath's loss is Bristol's gain.