AN action group is being set up to improve the safety of people attending the Royal Welsh Show in the wake of the death of Montgomery teenager James Corfield.
The 19-year-old’s body was recovered from the River Wye in Builth Wells in July, five days after he went missing from the show.
On Friday, Powys council announced it had agreed to establish and co-ordinate the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Safety Action Group to help improve the safety of people attending the Show, young people’s village Penmaenau and Builth Wells.
It followed a meeting last week of representatives from the emergency services, RWAS, venue organisers and show volunteers and a variety of Powys council services during which safety arrangements at the annual show were reviewed.
The action group will examine issues such as lighting, fencing, transport, medical centres and street pastors or similar to reduce future risk.
Powys council leader Cllr Rosemarie Harris said: “We are all desperately sorry for the family that this tragedy occurred and believe that, whilst many improvements have been made to the event and the safety of people attending over the years, we need to look at everything with fresh eyes.
“It is important that we use our combined experience and knowledge to improve the safety of people moving between the four main venues – the showground, young people’s village, Penmaenau and the town itself during the week.
“The greatest challenge will be issues in and around Builth Wells town centre and I want a radical look at how we look after visitors to the town at the important event,” she added.
Steve Hughson, RWAS chief executive, said: “The RWAS will continue to take an active role in all efforts to ensure that all events associated with the Royal Welsh are carefully planned in a way that maximises safety.”