Missing rescue equipment, vandalism and dangerous coastal shortcuts were among the safety concerns discussed by councillors during a review of lifesaving provision across Torridge.
Members of Torridge District Council’s External Overview and Scrutiny Committee heard how public rescue equipment, including lifebuoys and throw lines, is regularly checked and maintained across beaches, rivers and other waterside locations in the district.
Chris Willson, coastal engineer at Torridge District Council, told councillors the authority had recently commissioned the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) to carry out a comprehensive review of all public rescue equipment on land owned by the council.
The review examined existing rescue equipment, assessed whether it remained suitable and identified locations where additional provision could be required.
Most of the council’s rescue equipment is located around Bideford, Appledore, Westward Ho! and Northam Burrows. However, Mr Willson explained that guidance on where equipment should be placed can sometimes conflict.
He said shallow beaches can present particular challenges because the sea can be hundreds of metres away at low tide.
Mr Willson said there was concern that members of the public might waste valuable time trying to retrieve rescue equipment rather than immediately calling 999.
He told the committee: “Rather than doing the right thing, which is calling 999, you go, there was a lifebuoy and we passed it, and you run back to get the lifebuoy.”
As a result, some recommendations for additional equipment have not yet been implemented.
The council has also removed some rescue equipment following professional advice and has replaced some lifebuoys with throw lines where appropriate.
Mr Willson said the authority had identified several locations where it had historically maintained rescue equipment despite not owning the land.
Those sites include Bucks Mills, Welcombe Mouth, Bridgerule and a location at Instow.
The council has contacted landowners to inform them of their responsibilities and offered either to transfer ownership of the equipment or remove it entirely.
Councillors also raised concerns about how often rescue equipment is inspected.
Councillor Doug Smith questioned why inspections are carried out monthly during the main season but only quarterly during the winter months.
He said: “Surely the important time is when lifeguards are not on duty and the PRE is the only equipment available.”
Mr Willson replied that inspection schedules follow guidance issued by the Royal Life Saving Society UK, although equipment is also checked on an ad hoc basis throughout the year.
The committee also heard that vandalism remains an ongoing problem.
Councillor Wendy Lo-Vel asked whether missing equipment highlighted during inspections was the result of vandalism.
Mr Willson said a throw line at Kenwith Valley reservoir is frequently vandalised, while other issues often arise when members of the public use rescue equipment and return it incorrectly.
He said some people attempt to tidy lifebuoys by wrapping the rope around them before placing them back in storage boxes.
However, doing so can make the equipment ineffective during an emergency because the line may not deploy properly when thrown.
Mr Willson added that there had also been isolated incidents where equipment had been removed and used as dog toys.
Further concerns were raised about a coastal path shortcut at Northam Burrows where walkers have reportedly become stranded and required rescue assistance.
Councillor Claire Hodson asked for an update on plans to install warning signs at the location.
Mr Willson confirmed work was underway to replace older warning notices with larger and more suitable signage warning people about the dangers.
He said: “It’s being arranged at the moment. There was other signage that was up that warned the dangers. We’re replacing that with better and bigger, more appropriate signage.”
The discussion highlighted the challenges facing coastal authorities in balancing public safety, maintaining rescue equipment and ensuring clear responsibility for waterside locations across the district.
