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Canals highlighted in Demos report

26th May 2010

Disused urban railways and forgotten canals are in the spotlight as the think tank Demos calls for an urban ‘Right to Roam’, with the backing of British Waterways.

The ‘Right to Roam’ was introduced to the countryside ten years ago and Demos would now like to see this extended to towns and cities in order to regenerate run-down and recession hit areas. It believes that guaranteeing the public access is the first step to opening sites up to creative reuse.

The think tank has released a publication called Resilient Places, which argues that our heritage infrastructure can play an important part in addressing the challenges of today. The publication calls for “old, disused infrastructure to become heritage that is characterful and meaningful to people.”

Demos believes support should be given to communities to help them use such sites for leisure and events like festivals and British Waterways agrees.

Robin Evans, chief executive of British Waterways, said: "Forty years ago we tore down the fences that prevented local people from using and enjoying their waterways. The results have been astonishing.

"Communities across Britain now use their canals, rivers and towpaths in ways that their original builders could never have foreseen.

"We now want to go further by removing the remaining obstacles which bar people from taking a greater role in their local waterways."

For more information and to download the full British Waterways supported publication visit http://www.demos.co.uk.

Last updated: 27/05/2010

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