More Regent's cyclists complaints

PARENTS, children and pupils from a school have put more pressure on British Waterways to do something about the increasing number and speed of cyclists on the Regent's Canal towpath.

The people were from Angel, who held an impromptu protest with pupils from Hanover School, as the daily walk to school had become a ‘frightening and intimidating' experience, and thought eventually a child will be seriously injured or killed.

Introduce measure

This time the protest is by the narrow part of the towpath near the Narrowboat pub, and they want British Waterways to introduce measures to slow cyclists down.

The only thing there is a small 'Slow Down' sign, that is ignored being so small. One parent put up her own much larger sign to attempt to help.

Only a matter of time

Kate Johnston, speaking on behalf of the parents' action group, told she feared it was only a matter of time before a child ended up in the canal, complaining:

"Two parents have already been in collision with cyclists. They weren't hurt but were shaken up. The children get very nervous. Many young children don't like walking along the towpath because the cyclists whizz by so close and at a real speed. It can be very unnerving. People who are walking along the route to and from the school feel worried and intimidated."

Barriers

Parents want safety measures such as three-sided chicanes— barriers that force cyclists to slow down or dismount.

The parents believe that the expensive ramps  installed by British Waterways on the towpath at nearby Danbury Bridge are 'virtually useless', as cyclists simply ride over or around them.