The River Aire is a major river in Yorkshire, England with a length of 114 km (71m). Part of the river is canalised and is known as the Aire and Calder Navigation.

The Aire is one of England's major rivers and flows through North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Unfortunately, over the past 5 years, nearly 10 people have died from accidentally falling into the river and drowning . This is a result of the lack of safety/security railings surrounding the river's edge.

One of the most recent casualties was Mr Kalist Musinga,a 50 year old former E-resources Service Assistant at Leeds Metropolitan University.

He disappeared in the early hours of Friday, December 19, after attending a get-together at a bar near the Royal Armouries in Leeds City Centre.

His body was spotted by a passerby in a lake off the river near Leeds Road in Allerton Bywater - 10 miles away.

Ideally all of the current fencing should have some sort of wire mesh to stop people that sit on the barriers from slipping through. Maybe only a mile stretch of river edge on both sides but the absolute minimum that needs to be in place is at least some rope or barrier all along the river's edge. This is currently missing.

Please sign this petition if you, like me, wish that the council would secure our walkways near the River Aire.


Although they are lovely to view, surely pedestrian safety should be a priority for Leeds City Council after another life has been lost.