First reported 4 Mar 2014•Latest report 26 Feb 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes inadequate signs, pictograms, public advice or other dedicated warnings about location-specific hazards at beaches, rivers, ponds and comparable publicly accessible waterside locations.
Not included
Generic water-safety education not tied to a location-specific hazard
Lifeguard, rescue-service or emergency-response capacity where warning controls are not deficient
Warnings for roads, workplaces or other non-waterside settings
The underlying natural hazard where no deficiency in warning or safety information is identified
Reports
21
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
23
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2014–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
27
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority2
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office2
Natural Resources Wales2
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council2
Powys County Council2
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council2
Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk1
Canal & River Trust1
Coal Authority1
Department for Transport1
Derbyshire Constabulary1
Durham County Council1
Environment Agency1
Finchale Abbey Farm1
Gwynedd Council1
Other public body4
Private limited company4
Welsh county council4
English district council3
English unitary authority3
Environmental regulator3
Ministerial department3
English metropolitan district council2
Police force2
Registered charity2
Welsh county borough council2
Company1
Coronial office1
English county council1
Executive non-departmental public body1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Cheshire
Concerns raised1
Lack of nearby signage alerting people to the potential risks of the canal
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Coordinate with the Water Safety Partnership and relevant landowners to identify and discuss potential additional water-safety mitigation measures.
Stated by Canal & River TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 3 March 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Direct action on public-realm water safety risks is limited because the surrounding land is not owned or controlled by the respondent.
Stated by Canal & River TrustUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Norfolk
Concerns raised1
Insufficient on-site warnings about dangers at the shipwreck
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Somerset
Concerns raised1
Failure to prominently and clearly display water-entry risks and undercurrent and rip-tide dangers
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
Action
Review safety signage provision at Burnham-on-Sea Jetty.
Stated by Somerset CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 September 2024.
Action
Install prominent entrance signage warning of strong currents and drowning or injury risks.
Stated by Somerset CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 September 2024.
Action
Complete lower-jetty line painting warning against access because of dangerous currents.
Stated by Somerset CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 September 2024.
Action
Install signage at the Jetty, including top-of-jetty signs and line markings on the tarmacked surface.
Stated by Somerset CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 September 2024.
Cheshire
Concerns raised1
Absence of red warning markers, signs or flags at the beach and sea
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
South Wales Central
Concerns raised1
Absence of signage warning of the dangers of deep and fast-flowing water
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Implement a Water Safety Procedure guiding risk assessment and decisions on signage, fencing, information and water-rescue equipment.
Stated by Mining Remediation AuthorityStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 12 February 2024.
Bedfordshire and Luton
Concerns raised1
Lack of information about varying and sudden changes in water depth
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
The Trust considers its existing risk assessment and safety arrangements suitable and sufficient to address drowning risks.
Stated by Forest of Marston Vale TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Existing no-swimming and hidden-hazard signage is considered preferable to signs identifying individual deep-water areas.
Stated by Forest of Marston Vale TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
South Wales Central
Concerns raised2
Failure to provide adequate warning signage at points where individuals may decide to enter the water
Failure of waterfall signage to provide clear, concise warnings about the power and dangers of the water
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.8
Action
Complete independent and high-volume-area reviews of existing signage and identify necessary safety improvements.
Stated by Neath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 January 2023.
Action
Implement a uniform signage approach arising from the signage review.
Stated by Neath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 4 January 2023.
Action
Put temporary warning signs in place at the site.
Stated by Neath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 January 2023.
Action
Erect signs advising visitors about unpredictable water flow.
Stated by Neath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 4 January 2023.
Action
Commission an independent expert report on visitor safety management, including signage, in Waterfall Country.
Stated by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and Natural Resources Wales and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and Powys County Council and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 January 2023.
Action
Review the independent expert's report on visitor safety management and signage.
Stated by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and Natural Resources Wales and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and Powys County Council and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 4 January 2023.
Action
Erect semi-permanent safety signs at the specified Waterfall Country locations.
Stated by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and Natural Resources Wales and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and Powys County Council and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 January 2023.
Action
Use Visitor Safety Group Communicating Safety Guidance when designing Waterfall Country safety signs.
Stated by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and Natural Resources Wales and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and Powys County Council and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 January 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Welsh Language Standards require additional information on signs, limiting the use of signage consisting solely of clear plain-language safety warnings.
Stated by Neath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Advice recommends refraining from terms such as Danger, Caution, Warning and Deep Water when erecting signs.
Stated by Neath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
South Wales Central
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide adequate, clear signage warning of the risk of death by drowning
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
Action
Complete an independent review of signage at the Site and public-access areas on respondent-owned land.
Stated by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and Neath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 September 2022.
Action
Review signs in high-volume visitor areas to ensure they are fit for purpose and uniform in design, content and application.
Stated by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and Neath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 September 2022.
Action
Implement necessary signage changes identified through the review to provide a uniform approach.
Stated by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and Neath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 29 September 2022.
Action
Conduct independent reviews of signage at the Site and in high-volume visitor areas, including a scheduled safety-consultant site visit.
Stated by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and Neath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 September 2022.
Action
Review signage across the National Park and Neath Port Talbot Council land and implement a uniform signage approach where necessary.
Stated by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and Neath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 29 September 2022.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
The area concerned is outside both authorities’ ownership, so they do not undertake signage work there.
Stated by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and Neath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
The area lacking adequate drowning-warning signage is outside both authorities’ ownership and therefore their direct remit.
Stated by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and Neath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
North Yorkshire (Western)
Concerns raised1
Lack of safety warnings about unseen cold-water and water-flow hazards
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Essex
Concerns raised2
Lack of warning notices by the pier
Failure of groyne danger signage to remain legible
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Includes inadequate signs, pictograms, public advice or other dedicated warnings about location-specific hazards at beaches, rivers, ponds and comparable publicly accessible waterside locations.
