Campaign For Essential Life Saving Equipment At Newbold Quarry Park

Reason for blocking

Petitions containing false factual claims, missing sources, or misleadingly omitting relevant facts will be closed. openPetition reserves the right to subsequently request sources in controversial cases or to add important facts.

Please substantiate your statements with sources (link/URL):- I argued that, after six tragic deaths the last one as recent as 2023 and a history of numerous serious incidents primarily related to dangerous swimming there should be public rescue equipment installed.I forced two safety assessments which were conducted by RoSPA.Both concluded that the quarry presented sufficient risk and public rescue equipment “should be considered”

The initiator of the petition was alerted by the openPetition editorial team to the violation of the terms of use and was given five days to revise the petition. This did not happen, and the petition was therefore blocked.

text of the petition

After numerous conversations with residents during my time as your Borough Councillor I made a promise to try and make Newbold Quarry Country Park safer.

I argued that, after six tragic deaths the last one as recent as 2023 and a history of numerous serious incidents primarily related to dangerous swimming there should be public rescue equipment installed.

I forced two safety assessments which were conducted by RoSPA.
Both concluded that the quarry presented sufficient risk and public rescue equipment “should be considered”

I’m afraid Rugby Borough Council disagreed and concluded that safety equipment would “encourage greater water access and risk-taking”.

Their recommendation is to simply call the emergency services. Cold water shock usually causes "swim failure" and death within 3 to 10 minutes of immersion.

Despite not returning as councillor this year I am renewing my campaign for life-saving equipment at the quarry.

I am liaising with West Midlands Fire Service, the Royal Life Saving Society, National Water Safety Forum, RoSPA for new safety assessments and recommendations.

1,000 names will force a Full public, Rugby Borough Council debate
My campaign will continue. 

Most people who drown in inland waters are accidental. The remaining drownings are due to "hero" tragedies when a bystander jumps into the water to save a struggling person. Even in warm summer months inland water temperatures remain dangerously low. Cold water shock causes involuntary gasping and rapid breathing. Buoyancy aids keep the airway out of the water and the victim afloat.

Life-saving equipment is vital. Newbold Quarry lake contains invisible hazards like freezing, deep water, steep banks, tangled weeds.