Ingenious floating towpath arrives in London

Towpath users in London can now 'walk on water' thanks to Britain's first ever floating towpath.

Unveiled on 10th July, the innovative floating towpath carries the Limehouse Cut towpath under the busy A12 Blackwell Tunnel Northern Approach. Visitors to the canal will no longer have to enter an intimidating subway or cross a busy road to get from one side of the bridge to the other.

The scheme will be of particular benefit to local residents who currently have to cross the busy A12 to get to Tesco on the other side. One such resident, Christine Townsend from the Teviot Action Group, cut the ribbon to officially launch the towpath, saying: "This new link will make a real difference for residents living on the Teviot Estate. We no longer have to put up with the smog and fumes of the A12 to get to Three Mills, nor have to use the subway to cross the road - it's wonderful!"

The towpath is 242 metres long and two metres wide, and is made up of 60 floating units. Colourful lighting has been installed in the pontoons and under the bridge to provide an attractive, safe and welcoming environment.