New fences at the City Road Basin

THE housing provider at an etsate where a little girl died after falling into the nearby canal has put up temporary fencing by the water’s edge.

Peabody installed the fencing beside the City Road Basin last week, following calls for better safety measures after the death of five-year-old Malika Hibu in February.

She went missing from her home in the Crest Buildings in Wharf Road. Neighbours and emergency services searched the Old Street estate but Malika, who went to the Bridge School in Hungerford Road, was later pulled from the water unresponsive and died in hospital.

In the aftermath, her father Mohamed Hibu had said he wanted to see fencing put up to protect the lives of the other children on the estate.

He told the Tribune yesterday (Thursday): “If they had put those fences up earlier my daughter’s tragic death would have been prevented.”

Residents said at the time that safety concerns had been raised but in the five years since the estate was built there had been no work to install a fence.

One neighbour, Leanne Thompson, even claimed her mother had told Peabody that residents would be willing to pay for a fence from their own pocket but was told any fencing installed by them would be removed.

This week she called for gates to be put in place at the estate’s entrance over concerns about antisocial behaviour coming in from outside, including drugs being smoked on benches, but cautiously welcomed the new fencing.

“Obviously to protect our children it’s good that they’ve done it, but it’s a little bit too late for another family, isn’t it,” said the mother-of-two, including an autistic boy who is unaware of the danger of water.

“It wasn’t hard just to get something temporary there, when we were all begging and pleading. It didn’t even take them a day. It took them half a morning to just put that up. I just think it’s ridiculous, I really do.”

Malika Hibu died in February after being found in the canal

In a letter sent to residents at the end of March, Peabody confirmed it was planning to put up temporary fencing “as an initial precaution” while it investigated “long-term options for the towpath”.

The letter said Peabody’s aim was to “strike the right balance between safety and keeping the canal open for everyone” and asked for residents to share their thoughts on what should happen next.

It added: “You may have heard about the tragic death of young resident Malika Hibu, who sadly passed away after an incident at the canal next to Crest Buildings last month.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with Malika’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We understand this tragedy has deeply affected residents and local community.

“While the circumstances are still being investigated, our focus is on taking steps to prevent further harm and providing support.”

A spokesperson for Peabody said: “While the circumstances of Malika’s tragic death are still under investigation, we’re working with residents, the council and the Canal and River Trust to strike the right balance between safety and keeping the canal open for everyone to use and enjoy.

“As an initial precaution, the council agreed for us to put up fencing along the canal edge. It’s a temporary measure while we look at long-term options for the towpath area.

“We’ve written to residents to offer support and ask for feedback on the fencing.

“We’ll be updating people on our next steps in due course. “Our thoughts remain with Malika’s family and all those affected by the tragedy.”