Towpath observations
OVER the last couple of years we have seen and read much about visitor numbers, cyclists and improvements to the canal towpaths, writes Orph Mable.
I am not going to pull out my soapbox and castigate any particular body, but I would like to share with narrowboatworld readers, a few of the observations I have made from my non-towpath location alongside the Staffs & Worcs Canal here at Oxley.
Contractors struggling
The towpath from Ball Lane Bridge to Compton was ‘improved' and resurfaced about two years ago. It was carried out during the winter and Spring months with the contractors struggling to cope with cold and wet weather which was not really conducive to the laying of bitumen compounds.
That said, they made a reasonable job but we noted that there were no ‘traffic calming' devices (chicanes or speed humps) introduced. The top surface was a covering of small stones/gravel that was to make the towpath ‘non-slip' and help drainage (we were told).
Large increase in cyclists
With less chance of getting muddy, or prams and push-chairs bogged down, we have noted a small increase in walkers on the towpath plus a large increase in both leisure and commuter cyclists. The improved towpath surface has seen an increase in the average speed of the cyclists leading to more arguments between walkers, fishermen and the cyclists.
The surface covering of small stones has supplied the local ‘Yoof' with a ready-made arsenal of ammunition to throw at both passing and moored boats; it is only a matter of time (in my opinion) before serious damage or even injury occurs. There has been one broken window on our moorings (non-towpath) that we attributed to a thrown stone, so far!
Motorbike driven at speed
We have seen an increase of motorbikes being driven at speed along the towpath, the riders, (sometimes up to three on a bike), without crash helmets and probably without insurance or licences, taking little heed of other towpath users.
These pictures were taken on the 22nd May 2015 during the day. (Note the white signs—more of which later) Not content with terrorising this busy towpath during the day, the riders are now using the motorbikes after dark, sometimes with lights and sometimes not! On Friday 29th May we were treated to two ‘visits'—23.30 and 00.15—to the ‘delight' of the moored boats on the visitor moorings adjacent to the Shropshire Union junction.
Health & Safety practice
Two weeks ago, contractors for Severn Trent installed two pontoons in the canal approximately 100 metres south of Bridge 65 to facilitate repairs to a pipe-bridge. This work will continue for four to six weeks and means that there is a channel restriction of three metres in the canal. Following good Health and Safety practice, signs were positioned to both warn and thank boaters for their patience. These can clearly be seen on the second photograph above taken on the 22nd May.
I apologise for the poor quality but the following picture series was edited from cctv recordings and is at the extreme range of its coverage and range.
Commentry:
(1) Shows the sign in its pristine glory.
(2) (3) & (4) A group of youths tear off the covering and throw the pieces both into the canal and at moored boats!
(5) The next day passing youths again attack the sign, ripping off one wooden face.
(6) A youth smashes the wood by stamping on it.
From the pictures, it can be seen that this happened brazenly in front of our outside seating area in full view of our patrons. The only sign that is still intact is the one affixed to the railings; all the stand-alone wooden ones have been destroyed, with at least four weeks of canal width restrictions to go! (Let's encourage more towpath visitors!) Boaters take care!
It can be seen that this particular length of towpath is not in a remote rural area but in a relatively well populated semi-rural area.
Has all this been reported? Of course!
One last observation to close: I have noticed that the improved towpath surface has enabled police on cycles and PCSO on foot, to occasionally pass along it. These visits seem to occur between 09.00 and 15.00hrs during the week but never during week-ends or school holidays! I wonder why that is!