Part of Cobb closed as safety warning is issued
It follows two recent falls from the structure, one a fatality
Warnings about the slippery surface on the Cobb at Lyme Regis have been given – after two recent falls from the structure, one a fatality.
And now, the council has confirmed part of the iconic breakwater has been closed.
Lyme Regis harbour consultative committee chair, Sally Holmam, gave the warning at last Wednesday’s Dorset Council harbours consultative committee meeting in Dorchester.
Expressing her sympathies to the family of the man in his 70s who died on March 2 she warned that the surface, after repeated storms, remained “incredibly slippery.”
She told the committee that while the Cobb was washed down by harbour staff when they could it was not always possible to do the job as frequently as might be liked.
She said the fatal accident, in which the man’s wife was also injured, followed another incident with a man in his 30s, falling from the Cobb two weeks previously, his rescue carried out by quick thinking members of the public who threw him a life ring before coastguards successfully rescued him.
The harbours consultative chair said she understood that harbour staff were powerless to stop people walking on the structure and could only advise them against it when the conditions were less than ideal.
Harbours manager Ed Carter told the committee that he had a team working on the background to the fatality but was unable to tell the committee more at the moment – although a report would be forthcoming.
Both Dorset Police and the Health and Safety Executive have been informed.
Last week, Dorset Council confirmed: "Please be aware that the top of the wall at the Cobb (Lyme Regis Harbour) is currently closed for essential maintenance.
"Signage and barriers are in place to help prevent anyone walking across the top, but pedestrian and vehicle access to the harbour via the lower walkway is open as usual.
"Thank you for your patience and understanding while this work takes place."