More towpath cyclist problems

KIRKLEES Council which takes in the Calder & Hebble Navigation and the Huddersfield canals is the latest authority worried about the problem caused on the upgraded towpaths by cyclists.

BW's 2012 Vision—what went wrong?

By Allan Richards

Replacing a ten year strategy early with a different ten year strategy has led boaters to greet British Waterways' new '2020 vision' with a unhealthy combination of apathy and scepticism.

Not so safe

THERE is to be a new pub at Wolverton, which is being built as part of the development of the old railway carriage works, Roger Fox tells us.

Longport boatyard fire

A MAJOR fire broke out at the Longport Wharf on Monday devastating the ground and first floor of the Trent Boat Building Co Ltd, and cutting off power supplies.

Inland Waterways Association againgst roving mooring permits

THE Inland Waterways Association, in principle, is 'fully set against roving mooring permits', and seeks instead a better and more assertive enforcement of overstaying ‘fines'.

Five fire crews to rescue one man

Support for Chesterfield restoration

AT THE Chesterfield Canal Festival on Saturday, Councillor Shaukat Ali, the Mayor of Rotherham,  opened The Chesterfield Canal Festival. He made a short speech.

Ribble Piddler will cost £60,000

IT WAS revealed, at a meeting last week, that the total cost of the statue on the Millennium Ribble Link will be over £60,000.

Boater dies in Kennet & Avon boat fire

THE body, believed to be that of a woman, was found yesterday, Friday, in a burnt-out narrowboat on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Honey Street, near Pewsey.

Pensioner jumped in canal to avoid thugs

A BLACK man who was attacked by four white men on the towpath of the Rochdale Canal jumped into the water to try to save himself.

The thugs racially abused the 69 years old pensioner, and one punched him in the face, so the terrified pensioner jumped into the waterway and managed to wade across to the other side to escape further injury after the men demanded his cash.

This happened in early afternoon in Rochdale, and is the second attack on the same towpath, as a 29 years old man was accosted by two men who demanded cash. When he refused, again he was punched to the ground and kicked as he lay there.

Since the Rochdale Canal was reopened and the towpath upgraded, there have been many reports of attacks and demands for cash, and is fast becoming a no-go area.

Of the latest attacks, Detective Constable Julian Peach, of Rochdale CID, stated:

"Both of these offences are appalling, but it beggars belief that a group of racists would scare a pensioner so much that he did a dangerous thing by jumping in a canal. I'm appealing for anyone who may have witnessed either of these robberies, or who knows who is responsible, to get in touch."

Anyone with information can call police on 0161 856 4669 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.