Access to the River Eden in Appleby remains closed for the time being.
Access to the River Eden in Appleby remains closed for the time being.
Access to the river via the ramp on The Sands and at Jubilee Ford was closed yesterday morning (Thursday 4 June) and remains closed this morning (Friday 5 June).
The first priority of the MASCG is public safety and we continue to monitor river levels, which have fallen significantly, though not below the 0.5m safety level.
Specialist RSPCA water rescue officers will conduct an inspection of the river at the ramp on The Sands and clear the riverbed of any obstructions, later this morning.
The factors which will influence the decision to keep access to the river closed, or to re-open it are:
- The height (depth) of the water
- The speed the water is travelling
- How unclear the water is
- The condition of the riverbed
At this time the river remains unsafe for people and animals.
However, the picture is improving and there is the potential for the river ramp access to be reopened later today (Friday 5 June).
Chair of the MASCG, Claire Notman, Senior Manager for Communities at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “I’d like to thank everyone for respecting the warning messages that were issued yesterday by staying out of the water.
“Unfortunately, that message remains in place and we are continuing to urge people to say out of the river at Appleby for their own safety and for the safety of their animals.
"The current forecast suggests the river level will continue to drop. If this is the case, and the relevant agencies within the MASCG are satisfied that it is safe to do so, the barriers will be removed and people will be able to wash their horses in the river, later today.”
