THE organisation responsible for managing and maintaining the Worcester to Birmingham Canal has pledged to support a revamp of transport networks across the West Midlands.

The Canal and River Trust has thrown its support behind the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority – a newly-created body dedicated to improving transport links throughout the region.

The trust’s partnership chairman for the West Midlands Peter Matthews said, with increasing amounts of people ditching their cars and choosing instead to walk or cycle, improving access to canal towpaths could have significant benefits.

“This is a huge task because parts of the canal network are over 250 years old,” he said.

“However, we can make them better places for leisure as well as linking with organisations and businesses to make them safer and more attractive places for all of our different users.”

The trust is working alongside Birmingham-based sustainable transport charity Sustrans to encourage people to make better use of canals across the region.

The Worcester to Birmingham Canal provides a useful link from Diglis through the city centre and the Arboretum, across Blackpole and the edge of Warndon Villages, before heading north to Droitwich and beyond.

But a number of violent attacks on the towpath in recent months has led some to question if they are safe.

Regional director of Sustrans Yvonne Gilligan has been appointed to the trust’s West Midlands Partnership and said it was important people using canal towpaths were able to feel confident and secure.

“We are aware of the problems faced by towpath visitors and we’re working hard with the trust to improve surfaces and lighting," she said.

For more information on the Canal and River Trust visit canalrivertrust.org.uk.