Magdalen Bridge to close for historic May Day celebrations
Opponents argue that businesses and students may be affected on 1st May
Magdalen Bridge is to be closed on May Morning, following accusations from City Councillors that Oxford authorities failed to consult at a local level. The decision was made in response to the yearly hospitalisations and injuries which occur on May Day, caused by celebrators jumping from the bridge. It is the result of a consultation between Oxfordshire County and City Councils, Thames Valley Police, Oxfordshire Ambulance NHS Trust, the JR Hospital and Magdalen College.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Tony Brett told The Oxford Student, “it was a closed meeting, the essence of which was the County Council wanted to avoid being sued by those injured on the day. I was the only City councillor present and I am disappointed at the lack of local consultation.
Oxfordshire County Councillor David Robertson admitted that the number of highranking City Council officials outnumbered the single City Councillor present at the consultation meeting, but insisted that the decision was reached with the agreement of all authorities involved, “The city councillor present at the meeting had every opportunity for input into the process.
“The police were concerned for the safety of the revellers as well as the stewards who risked being crushed against the parapet of the bridge. It would be an irresponsible council who did not respond to these concerns.” Local Green councillors Matt Sellwood and Elise Benjemin said they made representations to the City Council on several occasions, but were ignored, and their suggestions unrecognised.
Matt Sellwood, Green Party councillor for the ward which contains Magdalen Bridge, said, “I am very disappointed; Green councillors have pointed to several ways in which the bridge could be kept open while preserving the safety of all those involved. Unfortunately, those authorities making the decision seemed unwilling to listen.
“This closure will not only disappoint thousands of Mayday partygoers - but will also seriously disrupt the ability of East Oxford residents to get into the city centre on May morning. I will continue to push for the bridge to be reopened next year.” A spokeswoman from Oxford City Council said, “The decision was made collectively to close the bridge and a local councillor was present at the meeting when the final decision was made.
Home Bursar at Magdalen College, Mark Blandford- Baker, who was involved in the consultation, believes that closure is the only option. “We have deliberated long and hard on the options and the local authorities feel that it is the only way to ensure the enjoyment and the safety of the crowd and staff.” The independently-organised May Day Ball, which finishes at 5am on the morning of May 1st, will host 1000 students.
The organiser of the Ball Simon Noble says, “I think they should have at least a narrow passage for people to pass through. I expect most people with gather in the St Clement’s area. “To be fair to the council, they don’t seem disorganised, it sounds like they’re expecting a lot of people. I’ve heard that there will be speakers set up on the Cowley side for people to hear the choir.
However, none of the businesses contacted by The Oxford Student had received consultation with the County Council. Robert Hamilton, first year English student at Wadham, is disappointed he won’t be able to share in the traditional May Day jump: “I would have loved to join in an Oxford tradition and taken the plunge. “I think, since people have been unable to work out for themselves that they could end up with a broken leg, closure was the right decision.
“It’s disappointing but, until they can drag the trolleys out of the river and ensure the water level is high enough there doesn’t seem to be anything else that can be done.” Chief Superintendent David McWhirter stated: “Our main aim has been to ensure the safety of the public. Closure is the only real option for the safety of all but we will ensure that the event is still enjoyable.
The cost of the closure is small in comparison with the cost of loss of life or serious injury either to those attending or the responding services.” A spokeswoman for the Oxford NHS Ambulance Trust said, “It’s our responsibility to treat any injuries no matter how they occur, but any measure which prevents or helps to prevent the sort of student injuries seen last year is welcomed.
It’s a matter of trust: if we could guarantee students won’t be jumping off the bridge the measure wouldn’t be required.” On May Day morning last year, 17 people were hospitalised and 40 were injured. Of the 8000 that gathered on the bridge, more than a hundred people jumped 25ft from Magdalen Bridge into the river, which is less than 3ft deep in places.
20th Apr 2006