Jackson Duke, just 17, was my cousin—a young man full of dreams and a lifetime ahead of him. Tragically, he and two others recently lost their lives in a preventable accident on the River Wear in Sunderland. Their lives were cut short because the safety barriers along the river were inadequate. What was once robust metal has been replaced by cheap plastic imitations painted to look like metal. While this may be cost-effective, it is certainly not life-saving.

In a world where we pride ourselves on advancing safety and security, Sunderland’s Metropolitan Borough has taken steps backward. These barriers on the River Wear are supposed to protect and save lives. They are placed there to prevent vehicles from plunging into the river, yet they failed at their most critical moment. The decision to replace strong metal barriers with plastic compromises lives for the sake of saving money. This financial decision has cost us dearly—something that should have never happened if safety was truly a priority.

The tragedy that took Jackson’s life serves as a grim reminder of our collective responsibility to ensure safety for all. The costs saved by installing plastic barriers pale in comparison to the immeasurable loss of life they were supposed to prevent. Vehicles should not be allowed on roads where the barriers cannot withstand impact. More importantly, these barriers should never have been downgraded from compliant metal to hearsay plastic, risking the lives of everyone using these roads.

My plea—our plea—is simple: restore the former integrity of our riverbanks by reinstalling solid metal barriers along the River Wear in Sunderland. This is not simply about reverting to former standards, but about upholding current safety regulations that protect road users—a necessity proven by fact, not opinion.

Sunderland City Council, it’s time to rectify this grave oversight. We urge you to stop pinching pennies at the expense of public safety. Install barriers that are up to the job they are meant to perform. Let’s make a commitment to preserving life; let’s demonstrate that lives matter more than budgets by taking immediate and effective action.

Sign this petition to demand the Sunderland Metropolitan Borough Council re-evaluate and upgrade the safety measures along the River Wear by reinstalling metal barriers. For the memory of Jackson, and for the safety of every individual crossing these barriers, let’s ensure no family is left heartbroken by such a preventable disaster again. Your signature will not only honor those we’ve lost but could save lives in the future.