DORSET Council has defended its controversial railings project at Weymouth Harbour as 'the right thing' to keep people safe - although it admits residents and businesses 'could have been better informed' ahead of their installation.

As reported, the controversial railings project got under way last Tuesday to stop people sitting on the harbour wall at Custom House Quay.

Read more: Weymouth harbour railings: HSE 'did not require' council to put barrier in place

Council bosses said they had installed the barriers following advice from the Health and Safety Executive - although the body said it 'did not at any point' require the council to install them.

The railings have been described as 'ghastly', while concerns have been raised about the lack of consultation before they were installed.

Council bosses said they 'accepted' they could have 'better informed' residents and local organisations in advance - but said the project went ahead to prevent deaths and injuries at the harbour in future.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment at Dorset Council, said: "Following concerns raised by residents directly with the Health and Safety Executive last year, the HSE asked us to produce a suitable and sufficient risk assessment in regards to Weymouth’s harbourside. In correspondence, they stated 'HSE’s view is that the default position, particularly in natural pedestrian routes and areas of high footfall, should be edge protection, unless there is a very good reason for that not to be a reasonably practicable solution'.

"This was followed up in further correspondence by the HSE inspector, who stated 'it is my expectation the assessment should identify the need for further edge protection, or clear justification for not doing so. In this instance, the edge protection agreed upon by Dorset Council health and safety officers was the installation of safety barriers.

"At its simplest, as lockdown restrictions ease, central government has requested councils to provide sufficient outdoor space for pubs and restaurants to help prevent the spread of Covid.

"Given the likelihood of crowds (high footfall) in the area this summer, we took the decision to erect safety barriers at specific points of the harbour identified to be at higher risk to help prevent people falling in.

"These have been funded from central government money specifically allocated for this kind of work.

"The safety barriers were erected on the road side of the wall so commercial vessels can continue to use the wall to moor up and unload, without having to work around the new structures.

"The barriers are temporary in their appearance and the materials used.

"We will consult with local organisations, stakeholders and residents at a later date to establish how a more permanent structure can be installed that helps keep people safe while complimenting the historic aesthetics of the harbour.

"Dorset Council is ultimately responsible for ensuring the harbour is a safe environment and it's our duty to take the necessary precautions as advised by the HSE and our own risk assessments.

"In short, we did not ask people if we should install safety barriers at the harbourside because the matter is not up for debate, especially as there's a highly vocal minority who consistently argue that there should not be any changes at the harbour at all - despite tragic accidents in the past that have resulted in deaths and injuries.

"We have to put local politics to one side and do the right thing, even if it is a difficult decision.

"I have personally visited the harbour since the safety barriers have been installed and was impressed with the wider improvements that have already been made to Custom House Quay, following feedback from the public.

"I remain convinced that we have made the correct choice in anticipation of the sheer number of visitors we're expecting in this area over the summer.

"While I accept we could have better informed residents and local organisations in advance of our plans for the safety barriers, ultimately this is about preventing further deaths and injuries at the harbour in the future."