We warned you Mr. Parry
A 76 YEAR old pensioner was knocked down and severely injured on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath in Wigan by a speeding cyclist, who raced from the scene.
It was at a Press Briefing earlier this year that narrowboatworld Editor, Tom Crossley, warned Canal & River Trust Chief Executive Richard Parry of the dangers to pedestrians on the towpaths by speeding cyclists on the many upgraded towpaths, warning that something must be done to slow them down as pedestrians will be injured.
Not working
To which Richard Parry told 'we will educate them'. It is not working Mr. Parry—pedestrians are being injured.
Cyclists in a hurry, and particularly those now taking part in the speeding time-trials on many canal towpaths take no notice of being educated, using what are now smooth upgraded cycle tracks to go flat-out at the risk to pedestrians and animals alike sharing the towpaths.
Struggling to eat
She was taken to Wigan Infirmary and has since been treated at Manchester Dental Hospital, but is struggling to eat due to her injuries.
At the time she was walking along the resurfaced towpath with a group, and told there had been a 'near miss' earlier with another cyclist who did not slow down when passing the walkers.
Contacted Canal & River Trust
Mrs Norris tells that she does not know where she stands, because if this happened on the road it would be classified as a hit and run incident, but she has contacted Canal & River Trust to see if more can be done to ensure the safety of walkers on the towpaths, and wants cyclists to be responsible.
All that a spokesman for the Trust has replied is that the Trust is sorry for the lady's injuries and that they have launched a campaign for cyclists to 'Share the Space, Drop your Pace'.
It is not good enough Mr. Parry. Nothing less than installing physical calming structures and a legally enforceable speed limit will do. Refusing to take the matter seriously in order not to give the impression that the towpaths are dangerous is not working.