Email: Take care

I realise that it is very tragic for the widow of the man who lost his life falling down the icy steps of the canal bridge in Skipton, but surely it was his prerogative to take care.

Reading the article it is clear that the man made the same journey often to meet his wife, and must have therefore been fully aware of the steps, that after all are over 200 years old and subsequently well worn, and in icy conditions are slippery.

For all the distress caused I do not think it right that Canal & River Trust should be held responsible for the weather conditions on its bridges, locks, towpaths and the like. Ice comes quickly overnight, and whilst councils are geared up to make an attempt to clear pavements and roads, we can hardly expect Canal & River Trust to be able to do the same for its 2,000 odd miles of waterway infrastructure.

I know people want someone to blame, but I can only quote your Victor Swift: People's safety is their own responsibility.

Ed Walker