On Foot

Waterways provide the perfect setting for a Sunday stroll or a riverside run. Apart from the fantastic scenery and a bit of healthy exercise, being around water is thought to have a relaxing effect.

An easy-to-use search facility for finding places to walk or run in your area can be found at http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/walking.

The Waterways Code

British Waterways provide the following advice for all waterways users:

Spot the dangers. For example...

Always keep young children under supervision

Not all towpaths give smooth, easy walking or cycling

If the water appears frozen, never trust the ice to take your weight

Watch out for concealed mooring pins or ropes across the path beside moored boats

The risks are small, but tell your doctor if you become ill within two weeks of getting canal, river or reservoir water into your mouth or an open wound

Be prepared for changes in weather and local water conditions

Swimming is prohibited - it’s dangerous

Take safety advice. Watch out for warning signs

Look after your waterways and consider others

Protect the waterway environment

Keep noise to a minimum

Don’t damage the vegetation or banks

Take home everything that you brought with you, and leave the site as you found it

Never dump rubbish, sewage or oily bilge water into the water or onto the bank

Clean up after your dog and keep it under control

Don’t light fires

Things can go wrong on canals. If you see something dangerous such as serious damage to structures or water escaping, call the British Waterways emergency helpline 0800 47 999 47. For other emergencies call 999.

Report pollution, fly tipping or fish in distress to the Environment Agency or Scottish Environment Protection Agency on 0800 80 70 60

Report birds or animals in distress to the RSPCA on 0990 55 59 99 (24 hrs) or the Scottish SPCA on 0131 33 90 111