A PUBLIC footpath in Barrow closed over safety fears has reopened after eight months.

The dockside walk, or town quay as it is referred to by Associated British Ports (ABP), has been opened to the public after work was done to stop children jumping into the water.

ABP licenses the land to the council, which the public can use for leisure activities such as walking or cycling.

Westmorland and Furness councillor David Cassidy, who was a key part of the negotiations with the port company, said the area was important given that it is in a section of Barrow away from green spaces.

READ MORE: Dockside walk to remain closed until it is made 'safe'

Cllr Cassidy said he worked on the issue with fellow councillors Anne Burns and Kevin Hamilton.

He said ABP was concerned about the issue of young people accessing their land after the death of a teenager in Port Talbot, Wales. On June 19 last year, 15-year-old David Ejimofor died at Aberavon Beach after jumping from a pier owned by the company. 

"They had taken action because a number of youths were jumping off the quay and into the water," Cllr Cassidy said. "It was public access over health and safety."

In the months since the closure, the council agreed with ABP to put up more signage and to install new ladders. Cllr Cassidy said installing CCTV cameras is being considered. There will also be sessions in local schools teaching children about the importance of water safety and how to behave around docks.

"We will ask the public to be eyes and ears. It's going to take everyone," Cllr Cassidy said.

One of his arguments for keeping public access was that even if the walk was permanently closed youths could access it without being noticed. However, if people are around, it is harder for young people to jump into the water without consequence. 

Cllr Cassidy said: "We are only talking about eight or nine kids who we have evidence of doing this. They [ABP] told us we don't want any fatalities on our hands." 

Bryan Davies, divisional port manager for Associated British Ports said:

“ABP is delighted to announce the reopening of Town Quay Promenade, which has been temporarily closed since June 2023 due to safety concerns following a number of incidents involving individuals jumping from the quayside into the dock.

"As the owner of Town Quay, with public access possible by means of a licence agreement with Westmorland and Furness Council, the closure was necessary to prevent an accident from occurring and to facilitate essential upgrades aimed at increasing water safety and ensuring the well-being of the public.

"The upgrade measures included the installation of new quayside ladders, the replacement of railings which had been vandalised, and the installation of warning signage to alert people to the dangers of swimming in the dock. ABP values the community's patience and support during this work.”