Sunday 5 September 2010

Canal Festival Success

We had a great day at the Canal Festival today. Our picture shows, from left to right, Cllr James Murray, Executive member for Housing, Emily Thornberry MP, Eleanor Riley, our canvassing organiser, myself, and Cllr Raphael Andrews (Clerkenwell). Lots of friends, supporters and members dropped by to say hello, including Ian Shacklock, Del Brenner, Chris Kenyon, Ben Bolgar, Avis saltsman, Joy Bailey, and many more.

We collected several hundred signatures for our petition to introduce cycle calming measures on the canal towpath.  Nearly everyone who spoke to us wanted to sign, and felt very strongly about the issue.  We will be presenting the petition to the next full Council meeting, and look forward to the Council working with British Waterways to help deal with the minority of aggressive, high-speed cyclists who are increasingly spoiling enjoyment of the towpath for everyone else, particularly along the Islington stretch of the towpath.

Interestingly, there was no sign of the Lib Dems at the Festival.