Improving safety on the Regent's Canal

Following a series of physical works to improve safety on the Regent’s Canal, British Waterways is launching a new Code of Conduct for towpath users with a ‘Two Tings’ campaign.

The project is part of an ongoing London-wide British Waterways programme to make towpaths safer, more attractive and accessible to the thousands of people who use them every day.

Funded by TfL and British Waterways, the £446,000 Regent’s Canal Safety project started in February with a programme of physical improvements from Victoria Park to Camden Town, including towpath resurfacing, trial chicanes, rumble strips and new signage.

New towpath code of conduct

The next stage is the promotion of a new Code of Conduct through a series of 'Two Tings' towpath events, posters, leaflets, adverts, banners and PR campaign. The campaign will explain that pedestrians have priority over cyclists and asks cyclists to use a bell giving 'Two Tings' when approaching pedestrians, pass people slowly giving them space and to ride at a sensible speed. It also asks pedestrians to listen for the 'Two Tings' and allow cyclists to pass.

Tranquil towpaths should be enjoyed by all

Simon Bamford, general manager for British Waterways London, explains: "We want the peace and tranquillity of our 200-year old towpaths to be enjoyed and accessible to all our users – walkers, anglers, boaters, people with pushchairs, wheelchair users and cyclists. We hope our safety improvement plans and new Code of Conduct will help all users of the towpath to appreciate their unique surroundings and respect the needs of the people they share the towpath with. We are appealing to our visitors’ better natures to share this wonderful resource responsibly."

Peter McBride, Head of Cycling, Walking and Accessibility at TfL, added: "TfL's support for British Waterways' programme of towpath safety improvements is part of our ongoing drive to encourage non-polluting forms of travel such as cycling and walking which will help to improve the capital's air quality and reduce the harmful emissions responsible for climate change."