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IT WOULD seem to me BW have not thought through the implications of opening up the towpaths for use by the general public, including of course cyclists, writes Ralph Freeman.
 I suspect those at the top of Ivory Towers think in terms of school parties, Sunday afternoon walkers and recreational visitors of all persuasions, as representing 'Joe Public'
Security implications
Unfortunately, the majority of us live in the 'real world' not some Utopian dream. The 'public' as a collective noun also includes, vandals, muggers, burglars, drug dealers and the like. The more you popularise the towpaths the more of the latter you are likely to attract to the towpaths too.
You may think the last statement is a little far fetched, but I have witnessed drug deals taking place beneath bridges on the BCN. A very convenient place to do business it is too, when you think about it; well out of the way of prying cameras and passing police patrols.
 Remember it only takes one thug to spoil your day, and one vandal to trash your boat. From my observations there is almost no police or BW presence on the towpaths whatsoever. The chances of anti-social or criminal behaviour being prevented is almost nil as a result. The authorities only become involved after the event. Wonderful!
Asking for trouble?
I question whether any sensible person would leave a £50,000 car in a deserted lay-by on an unlit road. If it was vandalised, broken into, or stolen the Police attitude would probably be 'what did you expect' If a towpath is turned into an unlit, unpatrolled, thoroughfare isn't mooring a narrowboat alongside the towpath asking for trouble too?
 The whole question of towpath usage has not been thought through. In National Parks, trails and cycleways are patrolled by rangers so there is at least some representative of authority around, (during daylight hours), to report and hopefully dissuade anti-social behaviour. Where is the equivalent on the towpath I ask?
Extending 'bandit' areas
By 'improving' the towpath you are extending 'bandit' areas many miles into regions previously considered safe(ish). For instance, could there be a link between towpath improvements and the increased vandalism around Trentham Lock on the Trent & Mersey Canal I wonder?
 I cannot imagine a yobbo ruining a pair of trainers wandering up a 'traditional' towpath on foot on the off chance of finding an unattended narrowboat to rob. However, if the towpath is smooth tarmac a potential thief could cover many miles quickly and with little effort on a mountain bike. Having committed a crime, the offender has the perfect escape route. The towpath! Only a police helicopter could follow the escapee.
A bit late?
It doesn't surprise me that only the up-side of towpath improvements have been considered by BW. No one at a meeting would dare mention the downsides. That would be construed as 'negative' behaviour which, as we all know, is career limiting. So now we have Ed Fox asking for 'constructive' suggestions to counter anti-social behaviour on the towpath. Fair enough. But isn't it a bit late though? Perhaps if BW had consulted liveaboard boaters in particular, for whom towpath safety and security is paramount, beforehand this mess could have been avoided?
Security is paramount
 If boaters do not feel the towpath is both safe and secure, then the long term future of boating on the canals is bleak. Only being able to moor up in security-fenced compounds (like the one at Stourbridge) or marinas is not a pleasant way to live. I for one would not wish to pursue a life on the cut in those circumstances.
Perhaps my carefree, mooring in the sticks, days are numbered? How ironic that BW's 'towpath improvement policy' may turn out to be the primary cause of the demise of my splendid way of life.
[Entering 'towpath attacks' in our search facility brought up 48 responses. Though we only publish a selection of the actual problems—Editor.]
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