Londoner’s require a right to roam on London’s beaches and, wherever possible, a public access route along the entire foreshore.
The Port of London Authority PLA does not encourage access because it was set up to manage the port, commercially, for maritime shipping. It gives safety considerations as a reason for not spending money on public goods. But the Seven Sisters Country Park is a much more dangerous place and is managed for recreation, conservation and wildlife. My suggestion is to transfer the amenity responsibilities of the PLA to a Landscape Agency and to bring both bodies within the GLA Greater London Authority family of public authorities. Construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel will make the water much cleaner and the beaches more desirable.
See also:
- the London Assembly report Access to the Thames Scrutiny of the Thames foreshore and path
- public access to the Thames beaches and foreshore
Perhaps the Port Authority could introduce bungy jumping and other adventure sports to take full advantage of the dangerous locations? [ http://www.champions-trophy.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Bungee.jpg ] and [ http://www.hdwallpaperpc.com/cover/126/Sports_Other_skydive_Adventure_sport_challenge_Risk_Jump_mountain_cliff_dangerous_life_spirit_high_HD_125508_detail_thumb.jpg ]
I’d like to have a go at a bungee jump but wonder if my nerve would fail me. The PLA would have too arguments (1) we don’t own the bridges etc (2) our job is to prevent accidents and incidents – not to promote them.
But there was a time when London officials were less officious and more sporting http://www.retronaut.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Police.jpg
Yes! That would make a wonderful new adventure sport for the police and emergency service games!
[ http://www.apandesgames.com.au/ ] and [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Police_and_Fire_Games ]
The NZers seem to have copied bungy from Vanuatu and taken it to new heights. [ http://mebobandsurly.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/vanuatu22.jpg?w=500 ]
Imagine what Bobbys’ river jumping will evolve into with time!
Bungee jumping without modern technology – scary.
I don’t know what to make of London’s bobbies. Almost everything written about them is bad but my (limited!) personal experience of them is very good. They seem kindly, good humoured and intelligent. Maybe it’s the first world was story: lions led by donkeys.