WELLINGTON Town Council has rejected a proposal to fence off a popular ‘wild swimming’ spot in Fox’s Field.

The suggestion followed heightened health and safety concerns around the site, from where a 12-year-old girl had to be airlifted to hospital after breaking her leg after jumping in last summer.

But the plans were condemned as “nanny state” by Town Cllr John Thorne, who said: “We should be encouraging kids to get outside in the fresh air and enjoy the countryside and lead active lifestyles and while there is a risk involved it is a known risk and it is something we accept.”

At a meeting of the authority’s Environment Committee on Wednesday, June 20, councillors rejected calls for a fence - but will look at introducing more visible signage at the location.

Town Clerk Dave Farrow said the council will be “reviewing signage at entrances and possibly on the bank to warn people of the steep drops and open water.”

He added: “The sign on the bank may be included as part of a wider information board which highlights the wildlife living in and around the river.”

It comes after an incident in June 2023 in which a schoolgirl hurt herself after jumping in a the river on a ‘teacher’s training day.’

She is understood to have landed in shallow waters, where she broke her leg and had be airlifted to hospital.

Fox’s Field is part of land which was leased for 150 years to Wellington Town Council along with 60 acres of other land in The Basins area.