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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