Doesn't walk the towpath

AS A long time reader of narrowboatworld I follow with interest the claims of ever increasing visitors to the waterways, writes Adrian Formby.

I live just by the Erewash Canal and often go up to Dockholme Lock and sit on the beam and chat with the 'regulars', so expect I can be counted as one of those 800 million visitors, but not one that very often walks the towing path. This is because I don't feel so safe since it was tarmacked and so open for the speedy cyclists, as in fact do others tell me the same.

Paths are safer for cyclists

As they slow down for the lock we ask what is their journey to be told mostly that it's from Ilkeston into Nottingham and back as the paths are safer for them than the busy roads.. But not for us, I can tell you as having had too many narrow escapes and just dare not take my Alsatian with me. This must apply to others as I don't see many walkers passing and have sat there all morning and counted them on the fingers of one hand!

Whilst on the subject of of the towing paths that Canal [& River] Trust proclaim about, there was a full page feature in the Derbyshire Times this week of the best scenic paths in the county with 12 pictures, but not a canal towing path amongst them, though I understand there are plenty of them in Derbyshire. It seems from what you included a while back that only the Canal [& River] Trust trumpet their popularity.