Forum Topic

Putney & Barnes Tow Path Users - Please Keep Left

Ted Wainman has posted this excellent idea on the Next-door site, because the towpath is quite narrow in parts and ,an be very crowded:"Quick request - if you are using the tow path please can you KEEP LEFT and encourage others to do the same.  It is narrow and sometimes difficult to keep an appropriate 'social distance'.  Most people are already observing this custom, but it helps if everyone does.  Walkers keep as far left as possible.  Runners can overtake in the middle of the path and then keep left again (think of it like a dual carriage way!).  Thanks and stay safe everyone...."

Richard Carter ● 2421d13 Comments

A bit picky I know but its not a towpath - its a footpath: there is a difference

Clifford Cowell ● 2420d

Great idea, I always try to go with the flow on the towpath, but never sure which side is best.  Works on the tube and will work here, stay safe everyone.

Bunny Payne ● 2420d

It would also be great if cyclists stopped using it.  They used to be banned, why was it ever changed since there are perfectly quiet alternatives.

Jane Eades ● 2417d

The local council should have pinned 'keep left' on trees along the tow path many years ago.Walkers, runners and cyclists are always nearly bumping into each other, especially at weekends.

Mike Essam ● 2417d

"Walkers, runners and cyclists are always nearly bumping into each other, especially at weekends."Shouldn't Sadiq Khan be excoriated for not widening and lengthening the towpath sufficiently?

David Ainsworth ● 2417d

Whereas walkers have nowhere else to go? How ridiculous.It is impossible for either walkers, cyclists or both to stay 2m apart on the towpath and therefore anyone wanting to observe the guidelines should take their exercise somewhere else. A mask or scarf won't save you (just make you look silly). Walking through the streets around home is fine - there is very little pollution just now.

Michael Winstanley ● 2416d

Dear Jane You are absolutely right. If you are walking along on the left you cannot hear cyclists racing up behind you - if you change direction you are likely to be hit by one of them. I often wonder how many old folk have been hit. It is a pedestrian walk way. It is not a road.  I am sorry if I am upsetting all the young cyclists , I have almost been hit on a couple of occasions.

Marie Byrom ● 2415d

Dear Jane You are absolutely right. If you are walking along on the left you cannot hear cyclists racing up behind you - if you change direction you are likely to be hit by one of them. I often wonder how many old folk have been hit. It is a pedestrian walk way. It is not a road.  I am sorry if I am upsetting all the young cyclists , I have almost been hit on a couple of occasions.

Marie Byrom ● 2415d

I had intended to take my daily constitutional in the form of a bike ride along the river but the towpath was already too busy with walkers and joggers so I went elsewhere. The path is too narrow in places for anybody, whether on foot or on a bike, to maintain social distancing. A bit more common sense required, that’s all!

Jonathan Callaway ● 2415d

The convention for walking on roads is always to walk on the right hand side facing on-coming traffic - treating the Thames footpath (its not a tow-path: one cannot tow through trees!) then in makes keep to the same convention as the pathway is used by cyclists who, one hopes, will adhere to the convention of driving on the left side.

Clifford Cowell ● 2415d

Quite agree, Jonathan. Whatever it's called, just avoid it! If the path is less than 2 metres wide in places it is physically impossible for anyone or anything to pass anyone or anything via social distancing.

Jane Carter ● 2415d

Given that the roads are pretty deserted I think cyclists should take advantage and enjoy cycling on the roads. I have seen several families with young kids on bikes doing exactly that — you'll never get a better time to use the peaceful roads

Sean Hodges ● 2414d

I haven't been along there for the past week, but the last time I walked there it was around 2/3pm and was quite empty.  Friends have told me it's very busy early morning.  Perhaps avoid that time?

Bunny Payne ● 2414d