Dangers on the Towpath

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 9th Aug 2004

Idle and Thackley Councillors David Ward and Jeanette Sunderland have taken up concerns about cyclists on the towpath of the Leeds / Liverpool Canal.

Mrs Ann Alderson, a regular walker on the towpath says that cyclists tend to go to fast and not give warning of their approach. Councillor Jeanette Sunderland said:

"Cycling is allowed on the towpath but only if the cyclist has a permit and obeys the rules set down under the Waterways Code. The code includes giving priority to pedestrians, not racing other cyclists and using a bell or hooter. I would urge cyclists to obey the Code in the interests of both pedestrians and themselves. A canal bank can be a dangerous place if people don't behave responsibly."

Councillor David Ward said that he had written to Sustrans to ask whether any of their local volunteers could help raise cyclist's awareness of the code on the Leeds / Liverpool Canal towpath.