NEASHAM PARISH COUNCIL Risk Assessment relating to Neasham Village Green (approved by Council on 6 November 2017)

Transcription

1 SEVERITY Risk matrix Definitions LIKELIHOOD Site description: Neasham Village Green is an open area of grassland in the middle of Neasham Village (see map attached), roughly triangular in shape, bounded to the East by the River Tees, to the south by the Kent Beck (which flows into the Tees), and to the West in part by domestic properties, and in part by an adopted Highway. The Village Green is bisected by a floodbank which forms part of the Flood Protection Works constructed by the statutory predecessors of the Environment Agency, and now managed and maintained by the Environment Agency pursuant to its statutory powers and duties. A public footpath runs along the crest of the floodbank. Another crosses it, as does a public bridleway, which goes on to cross the river at the High Wath (ford). There are stands of mature and semimature trees at the Kent Beck and south of the Millennium Garden, and rows of mature trees bounding the Highway, the Millennium Garden and the Kent Beck. Neasham Village has no commercial facilities save for one public house (The Fox and Hounds) in the middle of the Village. It has no school or religious buildings. Its only community facility is the Reading Room at the east end of the Village. The Village Green is used for unstructured recreational activity by residents and visitors, the only organised event being the annual Duck Derby. People use the river for fishing and occasional informal water activity. No Severity Likelihood 1 Minor injury Very unlikely st Aid required Serious (3 day) Major hospital required Fatal Unlikely Likely Very likely Almost certain Overall risk: 1-5: low 6-10: medium 12-25: high Page 1 of 6

2 Residual risk score Likelihood Severity Existing risk score Likelihood Severity Initial risk score Likelihood Severity Ref Site hazards & description Underlying risk Existing control measures Current risk Measures needed Residual risk 1 Steep drops & slopes: The floodbank adjacent to the Kent Beck runs steeply from the public footpath to the beck. The floodbank alongside the river has various amounts of level ground before a short steep fall (which may be covered in high water or flood conditions) to the river. The floodbanks are unfenced ½ metre pathway verges kept cut to assist definition of pathway/slope boundary New Village Green signage erected includes take care warnings All signage or other structures on the Flood Bank require EA approval. Consideration will be given to whether any additional signage is required when EA have posted the signage they have proposed informally. 2 Uneven ground paths & steps: Whilst a public footpath along part of the river edge is recorded on the definitive map, there is no visible sign of this. The visible footpath is shown on the map attached. Along the crest of the floodbank it is mainly flagged, is in reasonable condition (see EA-PRSA no ) and maintained by the Environment Agency Pathways inspected formally each 6 months and informally by regular use by Councillors. Defect reporting system in place to either report defects to EA or LA, as appropriate, or repair if within PC controlled area Steps have been renovated by the EA (Sept/Oct 2017) and those which now come within the Council s remit will be included within the Council s inspection regime Agree with EA and DBC the respective boundaries of those parts of the footpaths that they maintain; include steps to Teesway, and onto the green, which are our maintenance responsibility following completion of EA works. Page 2 of 6

3 3 4 5 Uneven ground recreation area: This open area is mown at regular intervals during the growing season by Darlington Borough Council. Its surface is as would reasonably be expected of public open space. Uneven ground river bank: The river bank is a band of steep sloping land approximately 2 metres wide on average with dense riveredge vegetation. The river bank is unfenced. Traps & confined spaces: Northumbrian Water Limited own and operate a sewerage pumping station to the south of the Millennium Garden with an outfall to the river. The building is secured, and screened by a dense leylandii hedge. The two large floodwater outfalls which penetrate the floodbank are protected by steel fences and gates erected and maintained by the Environment Agency which also operates the facility at times of severe flooding affecting the land ward side of the floodbank New signage invites responsible use. Public defects reporting system in place Formal and informal inspection system in place System in place for inspection of riverbank after flood to detect unusual dangers In the event that defects are observed to third party property in the course of a PC inspection, an urgent report will be made to the relevant third party. Both the Environment Agency and Northumbrian Water Limited have warning and contact notices displayed. Consider arrangements for maintaining cutting if DBC frequency reduces Page 3 of 6

4 6 Trees: Most trees within publiclyaccessible areas are lowgrowing and unlikely to form a hazard to pedestrians or traffic. The mature trees at the Kent Beck are inaccessible to the public; but there may be some risk of falling branches from the mature trees at the Millennium Garden Tree register prepared and issued, to be updated twice yearly following inspection. Urgent maintenance has been carried out, and maintenance for the next fiscal year identified work to include raising crown of mature trees s. of Millennium Garden & crown cleaning. Crown raising should deter tree-climbing by public Revolving maintenance plan to be prepared over the course of nest growing season Public services: One set of telephone wires crosses a small part of the north side of the Village Green. There is a power supply, mainly in a shallow underground conduit, serving the Spruce Tree which bears the Christmas lights. All other public services are underground. Power supply now checked annually (see inspection schedules) Trees now cut back from overhead wires, & inspected twice yearly Adjacent highway (Teesway): The highway is segregated from the Village Green by an adopted pavement. There are no unusual hazards for those who take due care of their highway safety. Vehicular access to the Village Green & floodbank without consent is enforced by locked bollards. Page 4 of 6

5 9 Storage areas: No such areas exist, save for temporary arrangements made with contractors or others. Authorised users are required to make their own public safety arrangements, suitably insure, and indemnify the Council Kent Beck & River Tees: These waterways have the usual inherent dangers, particularly to those who do not treat watercourses with appropriate care and respect. In times of heavy rain or snow-melt, they are likely to surcharge, and frequently overtop their banks. Severe flooding is not uncommon, which will inundate the recreation area, and on rarer occasions may threaten to overtop the floodbank. Use for organised activities: Under the Council s Health & Safety Policy organised activities need to be approved by the Council New signage erected by PC draws attention to river and flood risks Signage promised by EA is expected to do likewise EA have assessed the floodbank (and by implication the public access via path) and concluded they do not require any further protective measures Draft consent letter prepared, and Council is guided by guidance issued by present and previous insurers and by SLCC/NALC Draft code of practice in preparation to give additional guidance Page 5 of 6

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