WHILST I applaud the work being done by the Cotswold Canal Trust, my experience, as a walker and runner, over the last few years has been of many sections of closed canal paths.

Like many people, I value the canal paths as a recreation facility away from cars.

I think it’s a pity that the emphasis is on restoring a part of the canal that is not connected to the national canal system.

Would any boats ever use it?

Would they be craned in and craned out?

Wouldn’t it be great, if the emphasis could be on making the canal paths wider, so that walkers, runners, cyclists, dogs etc could all use it?

There could be space for cafes, bike rentals, children’s play equipment and a light railway.

I would be quite happy for the old canal to be left as it was, as a beautiful linear wildlife area.

It could have duckboards and simple timber bridges over it., In the meantime, could the trust, please design their work so as to always keep the paths open?

I understand, it’s cheaper and easier to simply close sections to the public.

Providing temporary parallel canal paths would add to costs but be of great benefit.

When will all the paths be fully open?

David Michael Uplands

What do other readers think about the closure of the canal paths?

Write to the usual address.