Look out danger - warning to youths

TEENAGERS using Clevedon's new lookout tower as a climbing frame are risking falling to a watery grave, civic leaders are warning.Youths have been climbing up onto the top of the newly refurbished look out tower at Poets Walk.But the lookout is just inches away from a sheer drop onto the rocky waters of the coast.The lookout was refurbished by the town's civic society and members are concerned that if this dangerous practice continues someone could be killed or seriously injured.Clevedon Civic Society chairman Carole Wring said: "The issue is, that as part of the planning permission we had to install a gate so the lookout could be locked."The problem is that youths are using the gate to climb up on to the roof of the lookout. Because of its position it is right on the cliff face and there is a sheer drop to the rocks."We are very concerned that someone could climb up onto the top and slip, falling onto the rocks below, being killed or seriously injured."The society is now asking North Somerset Council to consider removing the wrought iron gate from the look out altogether.Mrs Wring added: "The gate also causes other problems as vandals have tried to rip it off and force it open when it is locked."It would be very much safer all round if there was no gate on the lookout and people could just use it as an observation point."The lookout was refurbished at a cost of £18,000 by the Civic Society and officially opened in the summer.It was originally built by the Finzel family who were sugar importers and used to lookout to watch for their ships travelling up the channel.North Somerset Council spokesman Stephen Makin said: "We did request a lockable gate be put in to prevent antisocial behaviour at the building. If the Civic Society has any concerns, we will be more than happy to talk to them about the issues.