WORCESTER is home to a beautiful stretch of canal which is now open. Our towpaths are open for you to exercise and be outdoors, closer to nature.

There are a wide variety of animals in the water, on the water and in the greenery next to the canal. As well as the ubiquitous swans and ducks you could see frogs, newts, herons and if you’re lucky even a water vole!

The Canal And River Trust wants you to enjoy your local canal or river, but please follow the Government’s advice on social distancing at all times. Keep your distance from both other people and moored boats, where people may be living aboard and could be self-isolating or shielding.

When on the towpath, please move aside to allow others to pass safely, using the full width of the path. 

If you’re a cyclist, please remember that pedestrians always have priority. Take it steady and be ready to slow down to give way to others, including those on their boats or who are fishing.

You may want to consider using an alternative route away from the towpath for your exercise if you want to avoid other people.

Our plea to everyone visiting our canals and river navigations is to act always with consideration and respect for other people.

While you’re there please don’t feed bread to the birds. It can attract too many birds which leave too many droppings on the towpath or in the water, which clog the waterways with harmful algae.

Uneaten soggy bread can lead to a build-up of bad nutrients which can also lead to greater algal growth, spread disease and encourage pests such as rats.

Lastly ducks fill up on the bread with little nutritional value so they don’t forage for foods they would naturally eat, which can lead to malnutrition.