Reviewing water safety in Bury

In 2025, RoSPA undertook an Inland Water Safety Review of 28 bodies of water, including streams, ponds and lakes, for Bury Council’s Park and Countryside service.

We talked to Mike Bent, Bury’s Parks & Countryside Manager, about the benefits of carrying out the review.

“We found the assessment process to be both thorough and highly practical. The water environment was clearly broken down into logical segments, with each area evaluated using the RoSPA risk rating tool. This structured approach made it easy to understand where risks existed and how they compared across the site.

“The resulting recommendations were clear, proportionate and focused on addressing any areas of unacceptably high risk, while recognising that overall risk levels were broadly consistent with similar water bodies managed by the council. This gave us confidence that the findings were balanced and grounded in real-world context.

“What stood out most was the emphasis on supporting long-term management. The recommendation to implement a water safety policy provides a strong framework for setting internal standards and communicating expectations with partners and stakeholders. The report also highlighted important considerations around the dynamic nature of flowing water, reinforcing the need for ongoing inspection and maintenance to manage both safety and environmental factors.

“We also welcomed the focus on community engagement, particularly the encouragement of water safety education programmes in partnership with local services. This aligns well with our wider commitment to public safety awareness.

“Overall, the assessment has given us a clear, actionable understanding of our responsibilities, supported by practical recommendations and manageable follow-up actions, including a number of minor snagging items identified across specific sections.”

Find out more about RoSPA’s Inland Waterways Site Review consultancy here