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Lone ranger will bring peace to the canals
Evening Standard2 Oct 2008
The capital's first canal towpath ranger has been appointed amid tension between cyclists and walkers. Joseph Young will patrol the waterside to help avert conflict.
The number of towpath users has boomed, with more than 34 million visits made to London's canals and rivers last year. But since January, 10 incidents have been reported involving cyclists crashing into pedestrians.
Mr Young, appointed by British Waterways and Transport for London, said: "Speeding cyclists are giving other riders a bad name so part of my role will be to educate these few." He will also ensure canals and paths are well kept.
Reader views (4)
Brilliant. Hopefully the waterborn BW inspector will also give his support. Mind you I often wondered what happens in the dark when its hard to see pedestrians.
Correction. No, cyclists do not need permits on towpaths any more!
- Tony Islander, Denham, Herts, 02/10/2008 18:37
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Legally you need a permit to cycle along a tow-path.
I'm sure that this person has not been hired to collect fines from people who haven't written to British Waterways every day to get a permit to cycle to work
- Mark, Hammersmith, 02/10/2008 16:57
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Excellent news - they need a good dozen of them though and probably need to go round in pairs as I've seen some fairly hairy incidents both on the Grand Union and the section from Islington to Docklands. Lairy cyclists, boozed up tramps and fishermen with poles extending entirely across the towpath (ooh err missus) are just some of the hazards though it will be pleasant pottling along the canal for a living.
- Squiz, Islington, 02/10/2008 16:52
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A very brave man if he is going to patrol the towpath through Hackney and Old Ford on his own.
- Tom, Watford UK, 02/10/2008 15:48
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