Ladders along the River Avon are not designed to help people out of the water.
An inspection along the canalised section of the River Avon through the centre of Bath has revealed that ladders along the stretch are no use for people who find themselves in the water.
The inspection was conducted by the Environment Agency as part of its work with the Bath and North East Somerset Council's Strategic River Group and River Safety Officers Working Group.
But according to the report to the authority's Economic and Community Development Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel the ladders were found to be in a good state of repair.
The report said: "Through work carried out as part of the Enterprise Area masterplan it has been suggested that attaching timber battens to the steel sheet piling might improve egress from the river in an emergency situation as well as improving the river edge visually."
The River Safety Officers Working Group, formed this year following several deaths and incidents in the river, has also produced an action plan of issues it is hoping to resolve by the end of 2014.
The group is looking at the management of life-belt stations, promotional material, educational initiatives with the two universities and pubs, and better signage. Avon Fire and Rescue, which is part of the working group, is looking into vandal-proof cabinets to store buoys.
B&NES Council came under pressure earlier this year when a six-year-old girl and her father had to be pulled from the river. They had been cycling along the footpath when the girl fell in.
River champion Councillor Dave Laming (Independent, Lambridge) said the incident was evidence the council needed to take action.
The Strategic River Group is also considering appointing a river co-ordinator.
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