The graffiti on the otherwise beautiful Regent’s Canal towpath really lets the place down.  I know that many residents have reported it to the Council and British Waterways.  But the Waterways people can’t keep on top of it along the length of the canal.  I was really pleased to get this promising reply from Islington Council – a nice demonstration of two public bodies working together, influenced by central government targets.  Imagine something a bit like a scaled down fire-fighting ship, but narrower and pulled by a horse, perhaps.

‘I am writing with regards to the report of graffiti you made on 23/06/07 relating to the Regents Canal Towpath.  Unfortunately Islington Council is not authorised at this stage to remove graffiti from the towpath area as this is under the jurisdiction of British Waterways.  We have recently held a meeting with them about this situation as it is affecting the Government score that we are measured on.

A proposal has been made to form a partnership as they do not have the resources available to tackle this problem.  We are unable to access the majority of the graffiti from the highway and therefore are looking to use one of their barges and place some of our jetting equipment on board.  This will only then require the use of one of their staff to drive the barge as we will carry out the removal.  A longer term solution is also being looked at as they currently do not own any jetting equipment.  We are looking to assist in providing this on a permanent basis and in return having exclusive use of the barge two days a month.  In addition it  may be possible to train our staff to drive the barge.

We are currently providing method statements and risk assessments to British Waterways for approval taking into consideration the additional hazards working by water raises.  We are confident that these will be approved in the very near future and weather permitting, work will start shortly.

If you would like any further information on this or any other graffiti related matter then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind Regards,

Leon Meredith
Environmental Crime Manage’