Sarah Cope, Camden Green Party activist and co-ordinator of the Hornsey Lane Bridge Anti-Suicide Campaign, today issued this statement to welcome Haringey Council’s decision to approve anti-suicide measures at Archway Bridge:
“I started the campaign along with other local residents in late 2010, after three men died at the bridge in just over three weeks. We felt that we couldn’t just stand by while vulnerable people jumped to their deaths, traumatising friends, families and onlookers.
“We gained the backing of mental health charities Mind and Sane and we collected around 1,500 petition signatures. Many people we spoke to said they could not see any beauty of the bridge when it is overshadowed by suicides, and the fact that it is known locally as ‘Suicide Bridge’ said it all.
“It has taken us a long time, but I am very glad that Haringey Council has now listened. There have been too many delays, and too many preventable deaths over the decades. But I’m very happy that the council has intervened with a simple measure that will save the lives of the most desperate and vulnerable, and spare their loved ones from the most terrible trauma.”
Sian Berry, the sole Green councillor on Camden Council and the Green Party candidate for Mayor of London, added:
“I welcome Haringey Council’s decision and I would like to express my thanks to my fellow Green activist Sarah Cope who has been the driving force behind this campaign and has guided it to a successful conclusion.
“Some of the local conservation groups have objected that safety measures will spoil the look of the bridge, but I agree with Sarah when she says that its attractive architectural features are already marred by its terrible reputation. I wrote to Haringey Council asking them to approve these measures and I’m very glad they took notice of what so many people were saying.”