Improvements

British Waterways are continuing to improve London's canals to create a safer, more accessible and more enjoyable environment for people to visit.

Safer towpaths in Camden

A half-mile stretch of the Regent's Canal through Camden has been the subject of a £250,000 community safety project, funded by British Waterways and the London Borough of Camden, and in partnership with the Metropolitan Police, Thames 21, Camden Town Street Warden Service, Camden Lock Market and other local businesses.

The safety measures follow feed-back and consultation with regular canal users, crime prevention advisors, local residents and the Metropolitan Police. They include specially designed lighting for ¼-mile of towpath and eight bridges, as well as graffiti cleaning, CCTV cameras, increased patrolling of the canal by street wardens and the police, planting schemes, new signs at access points, fencing-off hidden corners and replacing walls with railings at access points.

Mark Blackwell, leisure development manager for British Waterways London, explains:

"Inspired by successful canalside lighting schemes in Birmingham, the lighting is part of a raft of measures we're undertaking with our partners to reduce anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime around the popular Camden Lock area. By working together we have created something really special which I'm certain will help make Camden a safer, cleaner and more enjoyable place to live, work and visit."

British Waterways and London Borough of Camden are now planning further improvements for the canal in Camden.