From Sarah Trimmer, BHRA:
"I met with Alison Colebrook from British Waterways and Sarah Gundry from Sydney Buildings RA to talk about the canal towpath clear up today. Given the weather it was an excellent time to check the potholes etc. A summary of what was discussed:

• The canal side has recently been cleared during the normal maintenance, so we concluded there is not a lot to do. However there will be a British Waterways tidy up in March so Alison will give us due warning and we can volunteer to help and suggest things we think should be done.
There is also a landscape planner who has various plans for the canal. Alison said she would let us have an outline of the plans. One thing we discussed, that is being looked at, is the condition of the paths in the tunnels by Sydney gardens. As for pot holes etc. on the canal adjacent to Sydney Buildings we discussed it but generally it was agreed the surface is not bad enough to warrant action, however this is something the landscaper will look at.
Alison made the point that if we do help out, volunteers cannot use electrical equipment without suitable certification. She also said she prefers to use hand tools as that makes it a more social event as people can actually talk as opposed to being drowned out by a strimmer.
We also talked about including children and a possible clear up day in May/June after the spring growth of foliage at the side of the canal.
Alison is going to keep in touch with us, but she says once things are set up she hopes to give us a local contact."