DRIVERS are calling for improved security at the Dartford Crossing after a string of deaths.
At the end of February a woman died after falling from the Queen Elizabeth II bridge. Her body was found in the water near Ingress Park, in Kent.
The incident was the seventh death reported since 2008.
A man fell and died in March 2013, and a father-of-three was declared dead after plunging from the bridge eight months later.
Shafi Said, a driver at Taxi/Cab, based in West Thurrock, said “There definitely should be a bigger fence there. It is very short and it’s very easy even for kids to fall off. There should be a higher barrier, not just to protect people, but also to stop winds. It’s one more tragedy that could be prevented.”
Steve Cole, manager of A5 Taxis, in Grays, said: “Things should be done to make it difficult for people to jump or fall from the bridge. We are behind anything that will stop people from dying."
Ged Flynn, chief executive of national charity Papyrus, which works to prevent young suicide, is also backing the bid for improved safety measures following concerns people can take their own lives by jumping from the bridge.
He said: “Any deterrent is not only saving lives, but saving heartbreak and distress to family and friends. It isaresponsibility that should be taken seriously, and we urge all relevant bodies to ensure access to a potential suicide location of concern is suitably structured to deter any attempt.”
A spokesman for Highways England said no plans had yet been made to build a higher safety barrier. He said: “Our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragic incident on the bridge. The bridge has an additional safety barrier to further separate vehicles and people from the edge. It also has higher parapets than usual, sufficient to prevent people from accidentally falling.
“24/7 monitoring of the bridge is carried out at the nearby operations centre, which means the Highways England traffic officer service can respond to public safety incidents as quickly as possible.
“Additionally, Samaritan signs are located at regular intervals on the bridge for use by people who feel they may need confidential emotional support.
“We will continue to work with relevant organisations and charities to see if there is any technology, or best practice, ,which could be adopted to help increase safety measures.”
