Having had a thorn-tastic and nettle-mongous ride through an overgrown jungle claiming to be the Peak Forest Canal towpath between Hyde and Ashton under Lyne last night, I began to wonder: who would you grumble to, and would anything be done about it? I guess it's a toss-up between the local Council (which dept?) and the Inland Waterways people. It really spoiled the ride, and was doubly annoying as the stretch on the other side of Hyde was fine. Is someone officially responsible for making sure towpaths remain easily navigable as the plants and bushes do their thing in Summer?
The responsibility for the upkeep of the towpath remains firmly at the door of British Waterways. They charge boaters an awful lot of money to use the canals and this is exactly the type of thing that should be stayed on top of (thats terrible English I know!) Write to your local BW office and complain. They have a duty to respond and get the job done. Although it may not be done until November when the system closes for planned maintainance.
Jonathan
"Nick Williamson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Morning all,
Having had a thorn-tastic and nettle-mongous ride through an overgrown jungle claiming to be the Peak Forest Canal towpath between Hyde and Ashton under Lyne last night, I began to wonder: who would you grumble to, and would anything be done about it? I guess it's a toss-up between the local Council (which dept?) and the Inland Waterways people. It really spoiled the ride, and was doubly annoying as the stretch on the other side of Hyde was fine. Is someone officially responsible for making sure towpaths remain easily navigable as the plants and bushes do their thing in Summer?
I came off into a big bank of Nettels on Sunday. It was a massive bank of them in the woods next to a foot path. I lost control, careered straight into the bank and fell over. Talk about being stung !! Ouch !!
"Nick Williamson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Morning all,
Having had a thorn-tastic and nettle-mongous ride through an overgrown jungle claiming to be the Peak Forest Canal towpath between Hyde and Ashton under Lyne last night, I began to wonder: who would you grumble to, and would anything be done about it? I guess it's a toss-up between the local Council (which dept?) and the Inland Waterways people. It really spoiled the ride, and was doubly annoying as the stretch on the other side of Hyde was fine. Is someone officially responsible for making sure towpaths remain easily navigable as the plants and bushes do their thing in Summer?
Having had a thorn-tastic and nettle-mongous ride through an overgrown jungle claiming to be the Peak Forest Canal towpath between Hyde and Ashton under Lyne last night, I began to wonder: who would you grumble to, and would anything be done about it? I guess it's a toss-up between the local Council (which dept?) and the Inland Waterways people. It really spoiled the ride, and was doubly annoying as the stretch on the other side of Hyde was fine. Is someone officially responsible for making sure towpaths remain easily navigable as the plants and bushes do their thing in Summer?
TIA Nick
If it is an official Sustrans route, try contacting them, of course at this time of year nesting birds need to be taken into consideration by people cutting back any sidings.
[email hidden] (Nick Williamson) writed in :"]news:[email hidden]:
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Quoted message said:
Is someone officially responsible for making sure towpaths remain easily navigable as the plants and bushes do their thing in Summer?
You might be on sticky ground as a cyclist - towpaths are not (in general) public rights of way.
As a cyclist you should obtain a permit to use BW towpaths *where cyclists are permitted* - you need to check that the section of towpath is permitted to permit holders (try britishwaterways.orgCycling%20On%20The%20Towpath%Open ↗ 20Uploaded_new.pdf )
But other posters in the past have said that there's a PDF version of the permit somewhere on the BW site. I've very, very rarely been asked to show my permit, and have very rarely had occasion to volunteer it. In this instance, before complaining to BW (and it sounds as though you are right to) make sure you are 'squeeky clean'!
As a cyclist you should obtain a permit to use BW towpaths *where cyclists are permitted* - you need to check that the section of towpath is permitted to permit holders (try britishwaterways.orgCycling%20On%20The%20Towpath%Open ↗ 20Uploaded_new.pdf )
I took your advice and got a friendly, thanks-for-letting-us-know e-mail back from a nice lady at BW. She assures me they're on the case, working their way down from Portland Basin. Some faith in human nature restored...
Cheers, Nick
"Dave Larrington" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
I'd start with British Waterways in the case of this particular cut. The Manchester office is:
