Having read your articles on the May Day celebrations at Magdalen Bridge, I would ask the media, city council and heath agencies to consider the following options for 2006.

This traditional event should not be stopped. Our council and other agencies have the duty to maintain and manage this event and should look at the safety of jumpers and plan to minimise the risks to them, while encouraging the majority to enjoy the proceedings peacefully.

Bridge jumpers will jump, so why not build an up-and-over scaffold platform so that jumpers' take-off point is controlled.

The jumping-off platform could be lower than the parapet.

A section of the Cherwell could be dredged and cleared of dangerous objects.

Single file access and jumping would avoid jumpers landing on others.

There were only 100 jumpers (only 40 minor injuries and 12 hospital treated) among a crowd of more than 12,000.

There are some nice, unused flood meadows nearby. These could be used to hold the crowds and provide a focus, and a music tent capable of broadcasting the Magdalen choir.

Food stalls and loos could be provided.

Then if people wanted to jump into the river from the bank side they would not be breaking bones, merely getting very wet and cold.

COLIN JAMES

Oxford Lane, Grove