Police warn against using towpaths for exercise

Published: Tuesday, 07 April 2020

WHAT will come as a blow to Canal & River promoting its towpaths is the police telling people not to use towpaths for exercise.

They are urging people to stay away from towpaths during the lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Increase in foot traffic

People are permitted to take one form of daily exercise alone or with members of their household, but following an increase of people using canal towpaths police are urging people to stay away stating that people live on the canal network and may be socially distancing which may not be possible due to the increase in foot traffic.

A spokesman for Stafford Police that has a number of waterways under its jurisdiction warned:

“There has been a reported increase in canal towpaths being used to walk and exercise.  Please consider that people live on the canals and are social distancing.  Please exercise from home and then stay at home.  Don’t go out unnecessarily and keep yourselves safe. Support the NHS.”

Showing concern

At least the police are showing concern for boaters moored on the canals, mostly self isolating, helping to protect them from the many people now using the towpaths for exercise away from home. 

Will the Trust now show some concern for its customers on the waterway rather than the visitors on the towpaths?