Please be aware that the quarry at the end of Westfield Road is within private ownership and is not open to the public. Anyone accessing the quarry lake (which is not suitable for swimming due to contamination and submerged equipment etc) without the express permission of the landowner is committing trespass and may be subject to prosecution. The landowner has erected fencing and notices many times, and these are constantly ripped down.
Repeat of a previous message from Thames Valley Police:
“Thames Valley Police is appealing for people to be sensible and stay safe near open water, especially during the summer holidays when warmer weather might make it tempting to take a dip in a lake, quarry, river or canal. Aylesbury Vale has plenty of excellent swimming pools and leisure centres; these provide the cleanest and safest environment for swimming.
We are reminding members of the public to be aware of the following:
- 60% of all drownings occur in canals, lakes and rivers.
- You can drown in just a few centimetres of water.
- If you fall or jump into the water, the cold will shock your body, making your muscles seize up so you can’t move.
- You could easily cut yourself on rubbish or rocks and you may become ill due to bacteria in the water.
Summer is a fantastic time and we want everyone to enjoy the weather, but more importantly, please take this safety advice seriously. If you want to go swimming please go to a swimming pool or your local leisure centre – don’t put yourself or your friends in danger by swimming in a lake, quarry, pond or canal.”
Thames Valley Police (for the Bucks land by the grass verge/Upper Icknield Way) and Hertfordshire Constabulary (for the Hertfordshire land eg Northfield Road) are able to take action against those who commit criminal acts such as dangerous parking, drink driving, drug use/driving, dangerous driving or anti-social behaviour. Please report all instances of such behaviour via 101 or 999 accordingly. Your reports will help to identify repeat offenders, catch offenders and potentially save a life. Police resources are also allocated based on volume of reported crimes/instances so your reports will also help ensure a greater number of patrols. TVP and Hertfordshire Constabulary will also patrol this area on hot days/evenings when possible.
Buckinghamshire Council owns the grass verge. Following investigation in previous years they have declined to erect bollards etc to prevent parking over concerns that this will force visitors to park in even more unsuitable locations. BC advise that the grass is cut as part of the vision splay and can’t be withheld. BC, not TVP, have responsibility for parking offences and litter etc on this grass verge. You can report any problems with the verge to BC via this email: parkingqueries@buckinghamshire.gov.uk or this link: https://www.fixmystreet.buckscc.gov.uk/ or https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/
Whilst outside our remit, the parish council does employ a litter picker to visit the verge after sunny weekends, however we can not trespass onto private property. Any litter within the private land is the responsibility of the landowner, along with any queries regarding access/fencing/signage.