A breakthrough has been made in improving Loch Lomond water safety with 21 locations in Balloch to receive lifesaving equipment and signage this year - with plans for a safe swimming area also set to be considered.
The move comes just over a month since four people lost their lives in the loch within a day and a year after the tragic death of Ava Gray on the Leven in Balloch.
Her family have since been campaigning for more to be done to provide buoyancy aids and signs alerting people to the dangers of the water.
Conservative councillor Sally Page raised a motion at Thursday’s council meeting asking for the local authority to adopt a water safety policy was agreed across the board.
It comes as West Dunbartonshire Council confirmed to the Lennox Herald that 21 locations within Balloch Park are set to receive lifebelts and potentially lifesaving signage by the end of October.
A spokeswoman said: “The Water Safety Partnership will install additional lifesaving equipment and signage outlining the dangers of open water swimming at 21 locations in Balloch Park.
“We expect all equipment to be installed by the end of October and it will be maintained and inspected monthly to ensure it is ready for use in case of an emergency.”
One of the locations, at Balloch slipway, has recently had a lifebelt installed at the bothy.
Members also agreed to give consideration to a lido area at the loch for safe swimming to be undertaken.
Councillor Page first highlighted the possibility a year ago and is pleased it is being revisited.
Teenager Connor Markward’s body was pulled from the loch at Balloch in July before a mum, son and family friend all drowned in Loch Lomond at Pulpit Rock less than a day later.
Last week, a picture surfaced on firm Calamity Kayaking’s social media pages of a family without lifejackets paddle-boarding with a baby.
They were spotted on Loch Lomond enjoying the watersport but without any kind of safety equipment.
Loch Lomond bylaws state that paddleboarders must wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid whilst out on the water.
The post read: “Three months old baby on a chest harness on Loch Lomond yesterday... no buoyancy aid… mum or dad and baby...
“25 to 30 meters from the shore line so we stepped in and asked them to come out of the water.”
Simon Jones, director of Environment and Visitor Services at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, urged people to use safety equipment in the water after a video had earlier surfaced on YouTube of a family paddle-boarding without life vests.
He said: “We are aware of concerns about people taking part in activities on the loch without safety equipment.
“We strongly advise everyone, even confident and strong swimmers, to wear appropriate and well-fitting life jackets or buoyancy aids when paddle boarding.”
Following approval of Councillor Page’s motion last week, members agreed that council leader Jonathan McColl should write to neighbouring local authorities and members of the Glasgow City Region to ensure they take every opportunity to educate their citizens on the dangers of open water swimming.
