New water safety signage is to be installed at six Council owned locations along Oxford’s waterways.
Oxford City Council is constantly reviewing ways to improve water safety in Oxford, taking into account advice from industry experts.
Earlier this year, the Council commissioned a review and advice from the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS).
The review identified six locations to install new signage and public rescue equipment. These are: Tumbling Bay, Longbridges, Hinksey Lake, Fiddlers Island, Wolvercote Mill Stream and Sunnymead Park.
Each sign will reflect the specific different risks at each site, from deep water, submerged objects, and strong currents. The signs also include a what-three-words location to help direct emergency services to the correct location in the case of an emergency.
The signage is expected to be installed by the end of June, and Additional Public Rescue equipment will be placed in some recommended areas.
Dangers of wild swimming
Oxford is surrounded by waterways, including rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and the canal. Wild swimming in Oxford's waterways is popular but is very risky due to the strength of the current, and risk of cold shock in deep water - even for strong swimmers.
The Council does not encourage wild swimming in Oxford’s rivers, lakes, canals, or other bodies of water, and those who choose to swim do so at their own risk. The Council has previously published and shared warnings around the risk of wild swimming on its website. The Council has previously published and shared warnings around the risk of wild swimming on its website.
Alternatives to wild swimming
In Oxford, the safest option for swimming is in a pool. Free swimming sessions are available at our Council-owned leisure centres throughout the week for children and young people under 17 who live in Oxford.
Paid swimming sessions are also available throughout the week: fitness lane swims, family fun swims and more! Specific session times can be found on each pool’s timetable. Four women-only swim sessions are also available each week at Barton, Ferry and Leys Pools and Leisure Centre (Barton on Thursdays, 7-8pm; Ferry on Wednesdays, 7-8pm; Leys on Wednesdays, 12-1pm and 8:30-9:30pm).
The Council has also reached out to all primary schools in Oxford to use its pools to provide swimming lessons. In addition to this, Oxford’s leisure centres are currently running a swimming lessons promotion where new customers can enjoy 50% off their first 3 months and only a £1 joining fee. The offer runs to the end of July 2026 and more information can be found at oxfordcityleisure.com
For younger children, Cutteslowe Splash Park and Hinksey Splash Park are free facilities that are available within the city.
Raising awareness
The Council is looking at what more can be done to educate people on the dangers of wild swimming. A campaign reminding people of the dangers of wild swimming will also be launched this summer.
More information on water safety can be found on the Royal Life Saving Society UK.
Comment
“Several injuries and deaths have occurred in recent years on Oxford’s waterways. While Oxford’s rivers may look inviting, especially in hot weather, there are risks from uneven surfaces, cold water shock, strong currents and submerged objects in the water. I hope that the installation of these new signs will help people to understand the dangers of wild swimming in these locations and advice on what to do if someone is in danger.”
Councillor Anna Railton, Deputy Leader, and Cabinet Member for Planning and Zero Carbon Oxford
