River access reopened in Appleby following safety inspection

Access to the River Eden has reopened after the ramp on The Sands and Jubilee Ford were closed, yesterday morning (Thursday 4 June).

Specialist RSPCA water rescue officers have re-inspected the water level this afternoon and are satisfied that the key conditions for safely reopening access to the river have been met.

After further consultation with the agencies in the MASCG, the decision was then taken to reopen access to the river at 3pm.

Chair of the MASCG and Senior Manager for Communities at Westmorland and Furness Council, Claire Notman, said: "An inspection by the RSPCA this afternoon indicated that conditions have improved sufficiently for us to approve the reopening of access to the River Eden at Appleby.

"However, all members of the MASCG are keen to emphasise that people taking animals into the river carries an inherent risk to safety and that anyone choosing to go into the river does so at their own risk.

"People should also be mindful of the potential for unseen debris below the surface of the water and are advised to take extra care.

"Finally, we would like to thank everyone for their patience and for respecting the advice to stay out of the river."

With more rain forecast over the weekend, the MASCG will continue to monitor water levels and retains the option to enforce a further closure of access points to the river in Appleby in order to ensure the safety of people and their animals, if necessary.