Barriers cut death rate at Van Stadens

NEW barriers at the notorious Van Stadens bridge are already saving lives by making it harder for people to kill themselves, the organisation which spearheaded the project says.

Friends of Van Stadens chairman Cliff Rose said the barrier project was officially completed on December 5 but there were a few minor works that still needed to be done. These were scheduled to be completed by March.

Rose said attempted suicides had decreased since construction of the barrier started three years ago. "In December and January this year, the number of attempted suicides has dropped to under 10% of the number recorded over the same period the year before.