We expect there will be a warm welcome in East Oxford to police suggestions that Magdalen Bridge should remain open for the traditional May morning celebrations.

This is a hugely popular event and one that ought to be easily accessible to people who literally live down the road.

Closure of the bridge reduced the number of people hurling themselves off it, although it has not stopped it entirely.

The events of 2005, when 40 people were injured leaping from the bridge, left the authorities with a huge problem.

Was it right for them to stand aside when someone could potentially have died in a leap from the bridge? Some might say that it would be the victim’s own fault if they chose to jump from the bridge. They would be right in most people’s minds, although the courts could take a different view and, in any event, the last thing any of us wants to see is this tradition marred by a serious injury or death.

If the bridge is to be reopened on May morning — something we would like to see — there will need to be measures in place to dissuade people from jumping.

A large fine is one thing that comes to mind. It would at least add a sobering thought to the drunken impulse to hurl oneself into the waters of the River Cherwell.

Oxford City Council should be able to promote a by-law to this effect which, if rigorously enforced on May morning, would soon have the desired impact.