New water safety signage is to be installed at six Council-owned locations along Oxford’s waterways as part of ongoing efforts to reduce drowning risks and improve public safety.
Oxford City Council commissioned the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) to review key sites, identifying Tumbling Bay, Longbridges, Hinksey Lake, Fiddler’s Island, Wolvercote Mill Stream and Sunnymead Park for new signage and public rescue equipment.
Each sign will highlight site-specific risks such as deep water, submerged objects and strong currents, and will include What3Words locations to help emergency services respond quickly. Installation is expected by the end of June.
The Council warns that wild swimming in Oxford’s rivers, lakes and canals is dangerous due to cold water shock and strong currents, and is not encouraged.
A summer awareness campaign is also planned, while residents are being encouraged to use local swimming pools and splash parks instead.
