elf & safety

[anotheoldgit]

http://tinyurl.com/28m87fc

In the name of 'elf & safety, to place concrete slabs on these historical stepping stones is vandalism by Derbyshire County Council.

I have traversed these stones man & boy, along with millions of others over the centuries, without any mishaps.

In fact I have seen pictures of ladies in crinolines gracefully crossing the river Dove by these stones.

What is happening, are we becoming obsessed with safety or are we becoming less adventurous?

[smart1]

Bureaucrats obsessed with avoiding litigation, so just going totally insane lol

[Gromit]

Just around the corner in Miller's Dale, there have been concrete stepping stones along the river edge for over 10 years. They are a good idea. The local stone is slippy and has an uneven surface. The concrete soon weathers and blends in fine, but it has an even surface and is gritty. Concrete is more practical. Whether Health (that's how it is spelt) & Safety or not, no one wants to fall in the water.

[Gromit]

In fact, here are the very stones. Notice the rough top for better grip.

http://www.go4awalk.c...phs/janiceblack25.jpg

[anotheoldgit]

Oh come on Gromit, most of us know the correct way to spell health, Elf & Safety is a popular saying.

http://tinyurl.com/27ztjs3

/// no one wants to fall in the water.///

Maybe they should construct a concrete bridge then.

[anotheoldgit]

Just spotted your picture.

Agree in that setting (partially concealed) they fit the criteria, but the stepping stones in Dovedale have been there for hundreds of years, are part of the scenery, and could be described as a listed monument.

Most people have heard about the 'Stepping Stones at Dovedale' but how many have heard of the 'Stepping Stones of Miller's Dale?

[Gromit]

// Elf & Safety is a popular saying. //

But a bloody stupid one.

[Gromit]

If you Google it,
Stepping stones at Dovedale gets 6,580 hits
http://www.google.co....1&fp=5c5837ef799eb765

while

Stepping Stones at Miller's Dale gets 47,700
http://www.google.co....=&fp=5c5837ef799eb765

[Gromit]

Here are some pictures of the refurbished stones.

Nowt wrong with 'em.

http://news.bbc.co.uk...d_8891000/8891900.stm

[anotheoldgit]

http://tinyurl.com/24pqkm7

[rojash]

I can imagine that if they'd not refurbished them and some kiddie had fallen in the water, the DM would have been first in their yelling about bureaucrats putting lives at risk for the sake of appearances.

[anotheoldgit]

Rojash

Don't you think someone has already slipped into the water in the hundreds of years they have been there?

Perhaps they should also install chair lifts up to Thorpe Cloud in case anyone falls down?

[anotheoldgit]

/// Nowt wrong with 'em.///

That is the opinion of a philistine.

Compare them in my link.

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

/// Stepping stones at Dovedale gets 6,580 hits ///

/// Stepping Stones at Miller's Dale gets 47,700 ///

Typical, my stones are more popular than your stones, so there. I think you will find that little is said regarding the Miller's Dale stones, the hits are more concerned about the walking in the area.

Dove Dale stones hundreds of years old.

Miller's Dale stones ten years old.

[123everton]

I fell in the Li river once, felt like a right t w a t until the next day a bloke went right in up to his neck in front of loads of people on steps that were all slimy whilst boarding the ship to Yangshuo and felt much better....
I doubt people will pay it much heed in time.

[jno]

yes, I wouldn't want to test the resources of Yangshuo rescue services.

So exactly what would you have said, aog, if a child had fallen in and drowned? Its' parents fault for letting it out in the first place? Council's fault for encouraging use of a dangerous structure? I think the new look is rather nice, but I don't suppose everyone will share my aesthetic tastes.

[anotheoldgit]

/// So exactly what would you have said, aog, if a child had fallen in and drowned? Its' parents fault for letting it out in the first place? ///

Have you ever been to Dovedale jno?

It's not outside peoples houses, where a child was likely to be let out from to play on it's own.

If a child was in Dovedale it would be accompanied by an adult, and if it fell off the stepping stones, the worse to happen would for it to get it's shoes and socks wet.

[jno]

aog, I fear Dovedale is north of Watford, and west of Yangshuo, so out of my reach... but here's a shock for you: not only do you disagree with the Mail, you agree with the Guardian

http://www.guardian.c...art-denis-edna-healey

second-last item

[ludwig]

I know this area well, and personally I don't think it looks too bad.
You do wonder why they felt it necessary though. I mean, it's not an accident blackspot or anything. I'm not aware of any deaths or serious injuries resulting from these stones in the last...let's see...recorded history.

I suppose it's really about avoiding litigation, and it was either put slabs on top or have a big sign at each end saying 'Danger, wet stones can be hard and slippery. Rivers can be wet and cold. If anything bad happens to you while crossing, it's nothing to do with us'.
Don't be surprised if those signs do go up as well though.

[boxtops]

There'll be handrails next....