I Do Canals Blog - Canalside Litter

Canalside Litter

The disgraceful act of chucking litter out in the countryside.

One of the first nice days of the year (2022) found me walking along the towpath of the Oxford Canal near Rugby.

I'd actually gone to photograph and video one of the remnants of the 'Old Course' of the Oxford Canal. These are what's left of some of the bends and curves removed when parts of the canal were straightened out.

The day was very windy, too windy to fly my drone without risk of loss. So I decided to take a few photos on my Lumix camera instead. Some nice old boats are moored up near Barby Marina plus the sun was reflecting the blue sky off the canal. I took several photos of these and other items. As I walked that towpath, I kept seeing so much litter that I took a photo of everything that stood out.

In all I took 29 photos of rubbish just chucked in the hedgerow or on the towpath.

Beer Cans, Glass Bottles, Plastic Bottles, Crisp Packets a plenty. The most common item I saw I disgusted me more than any other. Little plastic bags with dog crap in them!!!

Two questions to the 'people' who threw these and in some cases actually hung them from bushes.
1. Why bother bagging your dogs crap only to sling the bag on the path or in the bushes?
2. How could you?

Such 'people' should not be allowed to visit nice places and instead be restricted from anywhere that is in danger of being treated so thoughtlessly.

Do everyone who cares a BIG favour and sod off. Stay away and leave the countryside to those who care about it.

The same applies to those who chucked the cans, bottles and other litter.

I know my rant will have zero effect on such scum but I'll rant just the same...