2
Making more use of waterway paths and their surrounding corridors
November 2010
Waterway paths have long been seen as a secondary by-product of our country’s extensive historic waterway network and their important contribution to everyday life has largely gone unrecognised. This report identifies their enormous potential and sets out ways in which their greater use and development will assist in realising a comprehensive suite of benefits, transforming them into an even more valuable asset for our people and communities. The UK Government and the Scottish Government both recognise the contribution that Great Britain’s inland waterways could make in many areas of life, including the role of waterway paths as a means of increasing activities such as walking and cycling. IWAC recognised that there was a gap in advice on how to make more use of waterway paths and their surrounding corridors in a manner which was sustainable for both the inland waterways and the wider environment. This report was therefore commissioned to provide evidence on the potential for sustainable expansion of the use in Great Britain of waterway paths and their surrounding corridors that could be used as the basis for advice to the UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Assembly Government, navigation authorities, local authorities, transport authorities, health authorities and tourism bodies. IWAC wants to see waterway paths attract more commuting, tourism and leisure activities whilst at the same time potentially decreasing carbon footprints, reducing road congestion and improving the health of local communities. The report identifies over 6600km of navigable inland waterway in Great Britain, comprising canals, rivers, drains, the Broads and tidal waterways, with approximately 7500km of associated waterway paths. A further 1600km (approximately) of currently non-navigable waterway also provides further lengths of waterway path. These paths include towpaths originally constructed for waterway operations, as well as paths along river floodbanks and long distance trails developed in more recent years. It is estimated that about 90% of the waterway path resource is rural in nature. With a few exceptions, waterway paths no longer have a significant role as towpaths for towing boats but now provide important access routes for recreational walking, cycling and, to a lesser extent, horse riding, as well as sustainable personal transport. These new roles place new demands on the waterway path network in terms of accessibility for all, links to residential areas, tourist destinations and workplaces, and associated car parking and public transport links. The report examines the status of waterway paths in terms of rights of use (many are not public rights of way) and existing levels and types of use. Survey data indicate that over 900 million visits are made to waterways each year, of which the vast majority are to use the waterway paths for walking or cycling. Over half the GB population visited a waterway in 2009. Water based activities account for less than 10% of the total number of visits. Users come from a wide range of age groups and backgrounds but those over 65 years old, those with a long-term health problem or disability, ethnic minorities and working class people are under-represented among waterway and waterway path users. Existing management of waterway paths is described, including rights of way, maintenance standards, access for disabled people, links to other paths and public transport, staffing, signage and marketing. Survey data show that users are attracted to waterway paths mainly because they provide an attractive quiet environment, away from road traffic, close to home and are well maintained. Principal deterrents to increased use include lack of time, lack of appeal of waterways, poor path provision and maintenance, access issues (such as lack of parking), rubbish/dog faeces/graffiti, adverse perceptions of visitor safety and antisocial behaviour. Most users regard landscape/townscape and cultural heritage interest and wildlife associated with waterway paths as ‘quite important’. Factors are identified that could increase use, including better maintenance (including vegetation management), ensuring continuity of paths (i.e. no gaps in the traffic-free route), improved marketing and signage, addressing misuse (particularly by dog walkers failing to clear up after their dogs) and antisocial behaviour, assurances about personal safety, resolving inter-user conflicts (particularly between cyclists and walkers), better links and car parking, maintaining waterway character, landscape and wildlife and providing visitor attractions.