PLANS to fence off the river at Otley's Wharfemeadows Park have been branded ridiculous.

Leeds City Council has been accused of over-kill in its attempts to put up a fence to prevent people from falling or swimming in the fast-flowing river.

The council says the stretch of water running through the park from Otley Bridge to the skatepark is dangerous and people should be protected from it.

But residents and councillors claim the council is in danger of ruining the park's look.

A resounding 88.9 percent of voters on the Wharfedale website have said the river should not be fenced off, while others have commented that it would be ineffective and a waste of money.

Councillor Graham Kirkland (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) said he believed a fence- likely to cost around £100,000 - could make the situation worse.

"It is a crazy idea. It might be a risk that someone might fall into the river, but I've been here for 43 years and I've never heard of anyone falling in accidentally.

"If they do put a fence up, people will climb over it and once they're on the other side, it will be more difficult to get back. It will be more dangerous."

And he added that it was the fear of being sued that had prompted the council to consider putting up a fence.

"It is nothing other than insurance. If they didn't want people falling in the river, why didn't they do it 50 years ago."

But a Leeds City Council spokesman said: "The proposal to erect a fence had absolutely nothing to do with the council trying to avoid legal action.

"The council is fulfilling its responsibilities to ensure as far as possible that there are no accidents on an extremely dangerous stretch of high and fast flowing river immediately adjacent to a public park.

"Following the tragic death of two young boys in the Roundhay Park boating lake, the council engaged experts to carry out risk assessments at boh Roundhay Park and Wharfemeadows Park and to train parks and countryside staff in carrying out risk assessments at its 68 other sites that have lakes, streams and ponds in them.

"The council commissioned RoSPA to look at two of our most at risk sites - the Roundhay Park lake and this stretch of the River Wharfe.

"RoSPA's recommendation was that this stretch was particularly high risk and, in consultation with local councillors, the council is trying to find a sensible and sensitive solution.

"The preservation of life is paramount and these proposals are designed to allow people to enjoy this incredibly popular park while preventing any tragic accidents such as those which occurred at Roundhay."

Coun Kirkland, who is to be consulted about the proposals along with fellow ward councillors Colin Campbell and Ryk Downes, said he believed Tittybottle Park and Wharfe Side park on the opposite side of Wharfemeadows could be more dangerous because of their sloping river banks.

Coun Kirkland said he would be asking for a suggested list of alternative safety measures.

"If we want to be selling tourism, this is the last thing we want to do," he said.