February 2012
Public Consultation on improvements to Regent’s Canal towpath in Islington
British Waterways, in partnership with Islington Council, Friends of Regents Canal, Islington Cyclists Action Group, Hanover Primary & Nursery School and Islington Living Streets, is inviting local people to have their say about how the Islington stretch of the Regent’s Canal between Danbury Street and Sturt’s Lock can be made a safer and more pleasant place for everyone to enjoy.
The Regent’s Canal towpath is a very busy walking and cycling route. During 2011, British Waterways introduced trial speed bumps and chicanes to help slow down cyclists in a hurry and rebalance the towpath towards pedestrians, who have priority. A bid has also been submitted to Transport for London’s Greenways programme to help improve alternative east-west cycling routes on borough roads.
Following the trials and feedback, British Waterways has developed proposals for improvements to the towpath and is now seeking the input of local canal users to develop the ideas in detail.
Residents, people who work in the area and interested community groups are invited to join members of the project team at the Narrow Boat pub, 119 St Peters Street, N1 8PZ, on Wednesday 22 February from 3–8pm. The consultation event will be in a drop-in format, with free refreshments available.
Details of the consultation and proposals will be on display from Saturday 18 February at South Library, 115–117 Essex Rd, N1 2SL, where visitors will be able to comment or fill out the online feedback form. Boards will also be viewable outside the Lock Building, City Road Lock. The consultation will run from Saturday 18 February to Sunday 18 March.
Jon Guest, British Waterways’ waterway manager said: “We hope that people will come along and see the ideas that we have for the Regent’s Canal, and give us their suggestions of how else we can improve the towpath to make it a safer, more pleasant place.
“The canal is a fantastic piece of public open space in the heart of our crowded city. It is home to some unique industrial heritage and provides valuable wildlife habitat, as well as being a popular place to unwind and escape from the rush. We want to hear the thoughts and ideas of the people who live and work near the canal.”
Transport for London and British Waterways developed a London Towpath Management Plan in 2006, which has led to millions of pounds of investment into towpath improvements to reduce conflicts and improve things for everyone who enjoys using the towpath. This consultation is part of delivering that ongoing plan.
Details of the consultation will be available from Saturday 18 February 2012 at:
www.britishwaterways.co.uk/consultations
Ends
For media enquiries please contact:
Fran Read, 020 7985 7276 / 07796 610 427
fran.read@britishwaterways.co.uk
For more information on the consultation, please contact:
Dick Vincent
dick.vincent@britishwaterways.co.uk
British Waterways London
1 Sheldon Square, Paddington Central, London, W2 6TT
Notes to editors
In 2012 the canals, rivers, reservoirs and docks cared for by British Waterways in England and Wales will transfer to the ownership of the Canal & River Trust. This represents the next exciting chapter in the 200-year history of the waterways. When launched the Trust will be one of the largest charities in the UK. It will give people a greater role in the running of their local waterways, secure investment in the historic network and open up new sources of income. www.waterscape.com/trust
South Library Opening Hours:
Monday 9:30am to 8pm
Tuesday 9:30am to 5pm
Wednesday closed
Thursday 9:30am to 8pm
Friday 9:30am to 5pm
Saturday 9:30am to 5pm
Sunday closed
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