CANAL managers and cyclists have called on authorities to deter illegal cycling by making roads near the canal safer. British Waterways warned about pedestrians dissatisfaction with cyclists inconsiderate speed and lack of courtesy for other users

CANAL managers and cyclists have called on authorities to deter illegal cycling by making roads near the canal safer.

British Waterways warned about pedestrians' 'dissatisfaction' with cyclists' 'inconsiderate speed and lack of courtesy for other users' in a recent study of safety along the Regent's Canal and Grand Union Canal.

The report has called for �1.6 million in improvements to streets and paths adjacent to the canal, including a �1.3m recommendation to Westminster Council.

The recommendations included calls for a contraflow along Blomfield Road, and a shared use path along Delamere Terrace, in Little Venice.

Colin Wing, of the Westminster Cycling Campaign, said safety improvements on the streets, in particular, would deter people from cycling down the streets the wrong way.

He said: "We'd like to deter people from cycling illegally and we think making these improvements could help make cycling along the canal safer as well."

The recommendations by British Waterways were part of a call for an east-west cycle route along the canal stretching from Scrubs Lane to Tottenham.

A Westminster City Council spokesman said: "We are currently in the process of asking Transport for London for funding, which would enable us to make these cycling routes a reality.