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The towpath under the Regent’s Canal bridge |
Repair row is a bridge too farce!
Canal towpath attracts crime as row over who should improve area goes on
CANAL walkway bridge in Lisson Grove is becoming a crime magnet according to residents, who are calling for action after what they claim is years of neglect.
Labour councillors have collected a 200-signature petition urging environment bosses to tackle the blighted bridge outside the Lisson Green estate, which suffers from a bizarre wiring problem that means the security lights go out as soon as it gets dark.
The bridge has long been the bugbear of mothers with prams, who complain that barriers designed to slow cyclists down turn it into an obstacle course.
Responsibility for the upkeep of the bridge, which is heavily used by cyclists, tourists and residents using the Regent’s Canal, falls to the council and British Waterways.
But both parties point the blame at each other, angering Labour councilors, who say it is slowing down the much-needed work.
Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, leader of the Labour group in City Hall, said: “The walkway borders Lisson Green estate and is heavily used by families on their way to school, shopping or attending Regent’s Park mosque.
“It is also heavily used by cyclists and tourists for whom this should be a safe and pleasant route. Sadly, however, because the lights along the route malfunction, on by day, off by night, and there is no CCTV, the area attracts street drinkers and youngsters who can gather there unobserved.
“Despite Westminster Council being fully aware of the problem, nothing has in fact been done. Surely it is time for Westminster Council to take the lead with British Waterways and Network Rail to repair this blighted area.”
Resident Fiona Toumazou said: “It’s too dangerous to use this route at night. Drug addicts sometimes sit around here under the railway bridge.”
“It is always wet and always muddy. This bit is the hardest part of the route with a pushchair.”
A spokesman for the council said the upkeep of the bridge was down to British Waterways, while British Waterways insisted the bridge was “under the ownership of Westminster City Council”.
A spokesman for British Waterways said: “British Waterways does have some chicanes in the area on the towpath to slow down speeding cyclists, however these are designed to enable pushchairs to still have access to the canal.
“We are aware of the problems around the Lisson Green area. Some sections of the towpath in this area are leased to National Grid to run electricity cables along the canal.” |
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