Riding the Canals, ever do it?

Correct. Not quite clear what's going to happen now in the 'bonfire of the quangos', but they have traditionally been British Waterways land. See my post further up the page for a link to their Code of Conduct.

AFAIK most will be sold to adjacent landowners and towpaths will be ignored again in the countryside, with councils being asked to assume responsibility of urban 'flagship' ones that require little maintenance.