Towpath Action Group facts for kids
The Towpath Action Group (TAG) is a special group in the United Kingdom. They work to make sure that paths next to canals and rivers, called towpaths, are easy for everyone to use. They want these paths to be open and safe for walking, cycling, and other activities.
How TAG Started
The Towpath Action Group began in Manchester, England, in 1987. A teacher named Don Lee used to take his students on walks to explore the city's canals. One time, they visited a part of the Rochdale Canal where the towpath had been fixed up. But when they went back later, they found a wall blocking the path!
This made the group decide to do something. They surveyed the entire canal to see where other towpaths were blocked or hard to use. They wrote a report about what they found. This report, called "Trouble on the Towpath," was published in 1988. Around that time, the group officially became the Towpath Action Group.
What TAG Does
TAG continues to work hard for towpaths that are open and easy to use for everyone. Their work has grown beyond Manchester. People from government groups like British Waterways and Defra often ask TAG for their advice.
TAG wants to build good relationships with all kinds of people who use towpaths. This includes walkers, cyclists, people who fish, and those who use boats pulled by horses. They also work with groups that care about the environment.
In 2001, TAG presented a report to the House of Commons. This report was called "Walking in Towns and Cities." It explained why it's important to use city towpaths more often. It also gave ideas on how to get money to keep these paths in good condition.
See also
External links
- House of Commons Select Committee on Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: Evidence: Memorandum by the Towpath Action Group: Walking in Towns and Cities
