Many of us, particularly those who are parents, will have felt great sadness reading tragic stories about young people who drowned during the recent heatwave.
Young people often want to go swimming in rivers, lakes and reservoirs during warm weather. Whilst this may seem like fun, it can have devastating consequences, and alarmingly, there has been a sharp rise in drowning deaths among young people in Britain in recent years.
Over the last five years more than 3,500 people have drowned in the UK and Ireland, with deaths among 13 to 17 year-olds increasing by 67% between 2020-2022 and 2023-2025. Last year 16-year-old Jack Lloyd tragically drowned at Crown Lakes Country Park in Farcet.
This week marks national Drowning Prevention Week which helps to raise
awareness and encourage people to enjoy water safely. As a parent myself, I have spoken to my children about the dangers of swimming in open water and would encourage others to do so.
If you get into difficulty in water, you should ‘Float to Live’, by leaning back, using your arms and legs to stay afloat, and try and control your breathing. Once calm, either call for help or swim to safety. If you see someone in trouble, call for help immediately by dialling 999.
Free water safety sessions are being held at the Lido by Vivacity this week to help ensure as many children as possible understand the risks around water. For more information and to book visit www.vivacity.org or email swimacademy@vivacity.org.
I will also be joining council colleagues today (Thursday) at the Odeon cinema for a premier screening of a new video, which we have produced in partnership with Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue and the help of Jack Lloyd’s father, highlighting the tragic consequences of young people entering open water.
We will be sharing this video on our social media channels soon, so please watch out for it and share these vitally important messages.
There are many unsung heroes in Peterborough who don’t always get the recognition they deserve, particularly those who make a difference to the lives of children.
To help celebrate their efforts, we have launched a new award for the city – the Children’s Spark Award, shining a spotlight on those who work tirelessly to support and uplift children, ensuring that Peterborough is a place where every child can thrive.
Nominations are now open across the 14 different categories to award anyone who works with children - from our partners in education, health, and the police, to Cub, Scout, Brownie and Guide leaders, inspiring teachers, those in the voluntary sector, and every committed person in between. Visit the council’s website for more details and information on how to enter.
Our administration is delivering the major regeneration projects that our city needs to continue its impressive growth and development.
The Station Quarter project is going to be a real game-changer and I’m excited that work on the City Link phase of the scheme is progressing. Take note of the signs informing motorists that work will start on the Queensgate roundabout on July 6 and last until next summer.
This is a busy junction and we are proactively briefing bus and taxi drivers so they are prepared in advance. I want everyone to be aware that this major scheme is starting soon. The Station Quarter project will bring our city huge benefits for years to come, but there will be short-term traffic disruption, so please plan your journeys accordingly.
Finally, I’d like to mention the awful Anti-Muslim graffiti my colleague Cllr Sam Hemraj reported being written on a bus stop in Parnwell, saying the words, “Muslim Scum.”
Such disgusting comments have no place in a civilised society. It is party MPs like Nick Timothy, Sarah Pochim or Rupert Lowe that have quite frankly normalised Anti-Muslim rhetoric. I will not sit by and allow our city to descend into environments where a member of any faith group feels subjected to racism. Please report any incident you see to the police or your local councillors.