Cllr Kate Walder at one of the Conningbrook Lakes water safety stations with James Laidlaw, Aspire & Parks Portfolio Operations Manager
A popular park in Ashford has been equipped with state-of-the-art water safety stations, to help visitors act fast and smart if they spot someone in distress in the water.
Conningbrook Lakes Country Park now boasts three water safety stations with lifesaving throwlines, and each one has a clear location reference for people to share with the emergency services.
The signs guide people to call 999 and ask for the fire service if someone needs rescuing from the lake, to give the location reference, and how to use a throwline safely and effectively. Fire service 999 call handlers will provide the access code to unlock the throwline.
The signs have been created by Ashford Borough Council in collaboration with Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), which is in charge of inland water rescues.
The water safety stations at Conningbrook Lakes will provide life-saving support in an emergency – helping us to reach the person in need as quickly as possible.
Cllr Kate Walder, Portfolio Holder for Recreation and Public Spaces, said:
“The council’s Aspire Landscape Management team had installed three main stations and a number of smaller throwline facilities at key locations around the lakes, which span more than 30 acres in the shadow of the North Downs.
“We are trialling the effectiveness of this initiative before a decision is made to extend it to other lakes and water bodies under the control of the council. Using throwlines instead of the old style red and white life rings has a number of advantages and along with our partners at Kent Fire and Rescue Service we hope this will prove a real success.”