According to the BBC, the 60ft Tinside platform on Plymouth Hoe was closed and caged in 2003, but teenagers continue to use it by climbing around the mesh cage.
Plymouth City Council decided to remove the platform following an injury to a 15 year old boy after he fell from the platform last September.
The structure is being dismantled in sections and removed by barge.
The council’s decision was made following an independent assessment, which stated that the diving platform either had to be fully supervised by a lifeguard with extra security or removed completely. The suggestion was that, even with the lifeguard and extra security, young people would still try and get around the safety measures and would be at risk of injury.
Councillor Mike Leaves was disappointed at having to dismantle the board but believed this was the only course of action which could be taken.
“This was not something we wanted to do, but I don’t think we have any option.
“I really wanted this board to be reopened, but now we have looked at all the advice from the experts, we have to take action” he stated.
It is a shame that it has had to come to the dismantling of the platform, which obviously holds some history in the area, but the council were at risk of having to pay compensation to anyone who suffered injury as a result of using it, despite the fact that they have taken reasonable steps to close off access to the diving board. It seems clear that for the purposes of public safety and to protect themselves they had no other option but to take it apart.
