The Public Open Space adjacent to the Tidal Barrier (Bath Street)

Some good news: the stakeholders – and there are quite a few – have met, discussed the issues and possible solutions, highlighted the need for working street lights and who should pay for their electrical connection (The Environment Agency) and who should erect and maintain the temporary Heras fencing once the hoardings come down (ABP).

The Heras fencing will be required to stop the public from entering onto the rail track – a Health & Safety requirement.

The unfortunate news is that ‘opening’ this space to the public will not be for some time yet. On 25 October the Suffolk Local Access Forum received a report from the SCC Officer responsible for Public Rights of Way: ‘there has been some progress since the July meeting. Paul West, SCC Cabinet Member for Ipswich, had visited the site accompanied by officers and a representative of the Environment Agency, as part of a ‘Rights of Way’ briefing’.

‘The works to make the lighting operational had been calculated and a purchase order processed (with the work being funded by the Environment Agency).’ Further meetings of stakeholders were held in September and October; the work to connect the street lighting couldn’t start until a ‘Street Works Licence’ had been issued and, once complete, the space will need cleaning prior to opening; the Environment Agency has agreed to pay for this.

Don’t hold your breath, however, for the area to pass into IBC’s control and subsequent maintenance; further investigations are needed into exactly which bits of the Public Open Space and Cycle Track IBC will be responsible for. This was apparently discussed and agreed ten years ago but the individuals negotiating today need an update – the planned cycle track, now built, doesn’t actually go anywhere.

None of this has stopped individuals accessing the space, sitting on the river wall and doing what the space is designed for, fishing, boat spotting, and enjoying refreshments. ABP Port Security, having been called by nearby residents reporting anti-social behaviour, have asked the visitors to leave, replaced the temporary fencing and on two occasions had to deal with a small fire.

And just to confirm the requirement for a safety fence around the rail track, two trainloads of sand left Griffin Wharf in the first two weeks of October.

John Norman                                                   Image below taken from the Newsletter, April 2022

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