Elf & Safety

On holiday last week I was able to sit down and read the paper;

An article in the Mail by Richard Littlejohn caught my eye.

"An 11 mile coastal footpath, built at a cost of £30,000 by the Rotary Club to allow ramblers to enjoy the scenery along Loch Ryan , near Stranraer, has fallen foul of elf'n'safety. Dumfries and Galloway Council officials fear hikers may slip and graze their knees. They are also worried that the route goes through a field of cows.

It gets sillier. Elf'n'safety is so concerned that someone might fall in the loch and drown, they are insisting that a lifeguard has to be present at all times.

The Council will allow organised groups to use the footpath only if they are supervised by a 'trained outdoor specialist' - what ever that is.

When they are not finding out what people enjoy doing and thinking up way to ban it, these maniacs are capable of turning any innocent pleasure into a job-creation scheme.

Next thing, they'll be demanding handrails on every hillside. How long before they insist that everyone has to wear a hard hat and a high-viz lifejacket before they're allowed to venture into the countryside?

Now being fair, I'm sure there is another side to this story (any official from Dumfries and Galloway council like to comment?) but could this lead to such events happening in the Purbecks?

6ft fences along the cliff edge, a 'wear the proper shoe' course for those wishing to use the coast path, wearing a giant zorbing ball just in case you do trip, lifeguards every 30 feet....just the start?

In 19 years I've been to many incidents, some accidents "Acts of God" and some through the stupidity of the individual, in my book when you step out the front door to take part in an activity you need to take something with you......personal responsibility rather than rely on a person or sign telling you something is dangerous?