New barriers for Lincoln bypass suicide bridge
- Published
The fence is made of steel poles and wire
A Lincolnshire bridge which has become known as a suicide black spot is having extra safety barriers fitted.
The Burton Road bridge across the Lincoln Bypass is one of the highest accessible points in the area and has seen four suicides in five years.
Signs already give contact details for counselling charity Samaritans.
Now the county council has started work to supplement existing waist-high barriers with a wire fence and parapet which would be difficult to climb.
Emergency phone
Richard Waters, principal engineer for the county council's structures team, said: "We are working to improve safety on the bridge, particularly in light of recent tragic events."
He added: "We are also aware that the bridge provides a pleasant viewing point and have tried to minimise the visual impact as far as is possible when installing a fence of this nature."
Kathryn Cook, director of the Lincoln Samaritans, welcomed the move but wanted more done.
"We are working with the council to get a dedicated phone line near the bridge.
"So if people are contemplating taking their own life they will have access to our services there as well," she said.