FRIENDS OF REGENT'S CANAL - 20th November 2013

CANAL LIFE - CURRENT ISSUES AND VISIONS FOR THE FUTURE

For well over a century the canal was inaccessible to the public, just like the railways lines of today, but in recent decades the towpaths have been opened up. This has created healthy leisure opportunities for many people, but well meaning plans are backfiring and the canal is in danger of reverting to a no-go zone for ordinary citizens.


What are the issues?

Speeding cyclists
Overflowing bins and fly tipping
Noise pollution from static boats
Air pollution from static boats
Congestion at visitor moorings
Congestion at casual moorings
Mooring at lock landings
Lack of signage explaining the rules
ASB (graffiti, trespassing, excessive noise)


What is at stake?

Homelessness
Quality of life
Navigability across the UK network
Safety and Security
Public Health
Social and Commercial Cleansing
Loss of open space
Tourism


Layman's guide to mooring

Type of Mooring

Motoring Equivalent

Examples

Casual Moorings Street Parking Packington estate, Broadway Market
Visitor Moorings Supermarket car park Noel Road, Primrose Hill, Victoria Park
Lock Landings Box Junction Danbury Ramp and City Road Lock
Marinas and Basins Private driveway Battlebridge Basin, Lisson Grove
No Mooring Clearway Regent's Park


Visions for the Future

Floating caravan park
Stagnant pond (no moving boats)
Race track for commuter cyclists
Litter channel
Mugger's paradise
Viable highway for freight and leisure vessels
Commercialised theme park
Canyon defined by wall-to-wall apartment blocks
Shared multi-use open space preserving its original features and functions and offering a tranquil contrast from noisy urban life



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