More Than 17,000 Sign Grantchester Meadows Petition

Plans to ban public access to River Cam along the entire stretch of Grantchester Meadows have been condemned by campaigners.

The plans set out by King's College would ban swimmers, boats, paddle boards and kayaks entering the river from the whole length of the Meadows.

A college spokesperson explained that they were making the move after a spate of large gatherings requiring emergency assistance: "Sadly it has become increasingly apparent that this not only causes significant problems for the emergency services, but also brings with it a serious risk to life.

"As such it would be irresponsible for the College to continue to encourage swimming in an area where it is unsafe to do so. However, we would be entirely supportive of the Council installing safe-swimming points on Grantchester Meadows, as it has elsewhere along the Cam."

Campaigners battling to retain the the right to swim in the river have launched an online petition, arguing that, "whilst the land is owned by the college, it has been an asset of community value for over 500 years.

"Public use of the meadows for swimming, canoeing and punting has in living memory always been enjoyed by the people of Cambridge as it is one of the greatest areas of natural beauty lying within easy reach for city residents."

The petition has already attracted more than 17,000 signatures.