Courtesy on towpath

• IN the article about the candidates for the St Peter’s by-election I was described as a veterinary nurse (It’s a two-horse race... but which two will fight it out? July 15). I would like to make it clear that I am a veterinary surgeon, having spent six years training and 13 years in practice.

I am now head vet at Canonbury Vet Practice, where we have a strong emphasis on preventative health care and responsible pet ownership. This Saturday we are sponsoring Shoreditch Dog Show, and we will be there promoting these important issues.

Last week, Ian Shacklock raised some important challenges facing Regent’s Canal (Menace on towpath). I believe there are no easy solutions to sharing a narrow towpath, but it is clearly not constructive to pit cyclists against pedestrians when the real issue is courteous versus discourteous behaviour, something that surely filters down from our roads.

If elected, I would ensure any planning application must guarantee full and free access to the canal for walkers, cyclists and traditional transport uses.

CAROLINE ALLEN
Green Party by-election candidate, St Peter’s 

Published: 22 July, 2011