Thanks to the success of the nation’s first towpath ranger, British Waterways, in partnership with Transport for London, has employed a deputy to help the many visitors to the capital’s canals enjoy them safely.

A cyclist on the Regent’s Canal in Camden
Deputy Brian Smith will encourage users to think of each other as they traverse the towpath, and support the extension the ‘two tings’ campaign to new stretches of the waterway.

The new post has been created to assist the existing towpath ranger, Joseph Young, in combating the conflict occurring on the towpath between speeding cyclists and pedestrians. Over the coming months, the rangers will roll out ‘two tings’ events to extended areas along the Grand Union Canal and the River Lee.

Brian, a passionate waterways enthusiast involved with the charity Thames21, will support Joseph in reminding cyclists and pedestrians about the towpath code of conduct to encourage a better understanding between the two groups as they travel along the traffic-free towpaths of London. More than 50 events are scheduled for 2009 along the River Lee, Regent’s Canal, Grand Union Paddington Arm and the Grand Union Mainline.

Joseph Young, an avid cyclist and volunteer Sustrans ranger said: “With the ‘two tings’ campaign growing quickly in popularity I am thrilled to have a deputy ranger to help deliver the message and enable us to expand our events to wider areas of London.

“We encourage cyclists to use the towpath as it’s a fantastic green route across the city, it can be quicker then other modes of transport as well as a great source of fitness, but we need both walkers and cyclists to respect shared use of the towpath.”

Rises in fuel prices and awareness of our own carbon footprint have encouraged many commuters to get on their bikes and travel to work along the towpaths. Earlier this month at a ‘two tings’ event held at City Road Lock in Islington, 760 people were counted over a two hour period using the Regent’s Canal with 55% of these users being cyclists.

Brian Smith, British Waterways deputy towpath ranger, commented: “The towpath is a fabulous resource that is completely free for Londoners to use. The waterways are full of heritage and abundant wildlife, which can be admired as people pass by. I can’t wait to meet more people over the coming year.”

Simon Bamford, general manager, British Waterways London said: “It’s great to see the ‘two tings’ events extended from the Regent’s Canal to West London and along the River Lee, which are particularly busy stretches of the waterway. As more and more people use the waterways, it’s important that the public understand the towpath is a shared resource for everyone to use. Both Brian’s and Joseph’s experience and enthusiasm will help British Waterways deliver this message across the waterways and ensure the different towpath users enjoy their time by the water.”

With over 100 miles of canals and rivers, Brian will spend a large proportion of his working week with Joseph so regular users of the towpath will no doubt meet him soon at a ‘two tings’ event.

Waterscape are pleased to announce the appointment of a deputy towpath ranger who will be patrolling the canals and rivers to help improve their safety.

[tags]Towpath Ranger, Canals, Rivers, Canal Safety[/tags]