Install life rings at Perth’s river hot spots
The Issue
On Thursday, 18th December 2025, our lives were irrevocably changed when our beloved Declyn, a vibrant and loving 30-year-old, disappeared from Smeaton’s Bridge in Perth. This devastating loss has left an indelible mark on our family, and not a day goes by that we don't miss Declyn immensely.
Smeaton’s Bridge, along with the waters surrounding Moncreiffe Island, are notoriously high-risk areas, yet safety measures remain insufficient.
Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) has conducted internal risk assessments and concluded that only "water safety signage" is necessary. However, signs alone do not suffice when a life is at risk. Immediate and more effective action is necessary to prevent further tragedies. It is imperative that life-saving amenities, such as life rings, be implemented in these high-risk locations to provide immediate assistance during emergencies.
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), there are over 250 accidental drownings each year in the UK, many of which occur in inland waters like rivers and lakes. The presence of life rings could significantly reduce this number, providing a chance for immediate intervention that can save lives. In Scotland, recent statistics show that accidental water-related fatalities are a pressing issue, highlighting the dire need for enhanced safety measures.
Furthermore, communities surrounding other high-risk water sites have successfully implemented life rings and emergency equipment, resulting in demonstrable decreases in fatalities. For example, the implementation of these safety measures along certain stretches of the River Clyde has significantly reduced accidents.
With these precedents in mind, the installation of life rings at Smeaton’s Bridge and other danger zones near Perth is both feasible and necessary. These should be accompanied by regular checks and maintenance to ensure their efficacy. This is a modest yet crucial step toward safeguarding our community and preventing another family from enduring the heartbreak that we continue to experience.
By signing this petition, you can urge Perth and Kinross Council to bolster river safety by installing life saving devices, ensuring these potentially lifesaving changes are promptly enacted. Join us in making our rivers safer so that Declyn’s story may save future lives.
Signing this petition could be the difference between life and loss.
429
The Issue
On Thursday, 18th December 2025, our lives were irrevocably changed when our beloved Declyn, a vibrant and loving 30-year-old, disappeared from Smeaton’s Bridge in Perth. This devastating loss has left an indelible mark on our family, and not a day goes by that we don't miss Declyn immensely.
Smeaton’s Bridge, along with the waters surrounding Moncreiffe Island, are notoriously high-risk areas, yet safety measures remain insufficient.
Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) has conducted internal risk assessments and concluded that only "water safety signage" is necessary. However, signs alone do not suffice when a life is at risk. Immediate and more effective action is necessary to prevent further tragedies. It is imperative that life-saving amenities, such as life rings, be implemented in these high-risk locations to provide immediate assistance during emergencies.
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), there are over 250 accidental drownings each year in the UK, many of which occur in inland waters like rivers and lakes. The presence of life rings could significantly reduce this number, providing a chance for immediate intervention that can save lives. In Scotland, recent statistics show that accidental water-related fatalities are a pressing issue, highlighting the dire need for enhanced safety measures.
Furthermore, communities surrounding other high-risk water sites have successfully implemented life rings and emergency equipment, resulting in demonstrable decreases in fatalities. For example, the implementation of these safety measures along certain stretches of the River Clyde has significantly reduced accidents.
With these precedents in mind, the installation of life rings at Smeaton’s Bridge and other danger zones near Perth is both feasible and necessary. These should be accompanied by regular checks and maintenance to ensure their efficacy. This is a modest yet crucial step toward safeguarding our community and preventing another family from enduring the heartbreak that we continue to experience.
By signing this petition, you can urge Perth and Kinross Council to bolster river safety by installing life saving devices, ensuring these potentially lifesaving changes are promptly enacted. Join us in making our rivers safer so that Declyn’s story may save future lives.
Signing this petition could be the difference between life and loss.
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Petition created on 7 August 2026