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Ruth Millington used the canals as an urban "escape" found, but her fear had worsened, because of how busy it was

The Number of people with Canal tow paths increased by almost 200% in urban areas since the lockdown began.

On a narrow towpath, social distance is difficult to achieve, but for those with limited access to green it is often one of your Few Options .

Some of The Canal , visitors in Birmingham said, you were once a "flight", but edging past filled others with fear.

The Canal and River Trust called on The People to restrict their use of the waterways remain open for All .

Canal -use is increasing in most of the areas where green space "is a premium"

"living in the City Centre , the canals have always been my escape," Ruth Millington, lives in a studio apartment in Birmingham 's Jewellery Quarter , said.

she has no garden and is based on The City 's extensive channel network for movement and stress relief. "It is so important for my Mental Health ," She Said .

as we know, more channels than Venice, it is no surprise that the waterways have an important meaning for The People in Birmingham .

of The Canal and River Trust put up signs encouraging people to limit their use of tow-paths

The Canal and River Trust reported that since the lockdown came into force on 23 March, The Number of people who had been with the canals in the City Centre of Birmingham , increased by 171% from a daily average of 463 to 1,254.

For Ms Millington, the increase meant your outdoor activity had a detrimental effect on their Mental Health rather than a positive.

"I've found my usual walk along The Canal is very strenuous, as the trails are so busy, and that has my anxiety," She Said .

"The Narrow way may not have enough space for All The Cyclists , runners, dog walkers and groups of people walking. "

Before the lockdown, will be used an average of 463 people, the channel network in the Inner City of Birmingham Every Day

The Canal and River Trust, The Charity reported a "shift in usage" from the bustling tourist hotspots in favor of less frequently used tow-paths in residential areas," often under less prosperous communities where green space is often at a premium".

Burnley, Sandwell and Blackburn, the largest increase in visitors to The Canal network, while The Number of visitors has halved in the channels of the tourist hotspots such as Camden, Paddington and Birmingham Brindley Place More Than .

visits had The Canal in Birmingham Brindley Place is a hive of bars, restaurants and offices, fell by 40%

A growing body of research connects the parks and green spaces on well-being,

"My Mental Health is really suffering from the inside," Ms Millington said, adding, she was now balance The Risk of not in the situation, social distance against the impact on their well-being.

The channel offers the possibility of connecting with nature and the animal world in Birmingham

It is a balance that The Canal and river trust is deeply aware of.

The next time you love to put signage on its network, encouraging people to limit their use of tow-paths, but said it was working to manage social distance, without cutting off access to green spaces, of which at least gardens, or live near parks.

"to provide Our channels, is for many people, an important green-or blue-route-your-door-to-door, but The People that restrict their use and act in a considerate in This Time said," trust chief executive Richard Parry .

"channels can be a lifeline for people, but Only If we deal with them responsibly. "

Raj sang Hera, he says, it avoids trolling now Los paths at busier times

Raj sang Hera has just bought A House which backs on to the Birmingham New Main Line Canal .

He Said The Canal had its main access to The City and, since the lockdown, a place he took, day trips.

"We have really embraced the channel. "

He Said he had noticed "a massive increase in people" with the towing-paths, and so had to change his habits in order to maintain social distancing.

"It brings me out of going in "peak-times"," the avid runner said. "I'm Getting Up earlier to avoid people. "

The Number of visitors is due to the fact only one side of the channel tightened is fixed, He Said , forcing the majority of The People on one side of the tow-path, where you are more restricted by the overgrown bushes.

Tim Morley has started to watch a podcast with other boaters lockdown on The Canal

For boaters, Tim Morley, the increase of The People with tow-paths to - on some days they have been related to "a highway," He Said .

He lives with his partner on a boat in Hockley Port, a section of The Canal from Birmingham Soho loop in the vicinity of the Jewellery Quarter .

"We have tried to train Every Day , and the tow path is The Natural place to do it," He Said .

But The Network was developed, "never, for the volume of people," He Said , and he has to stop instead of taken to walking around local industrial parks, that persons with the tow-paths.

"My partner's thinking, I'm crazy, but I think you are fascinating," He Said .

"We don't want to be near people, but we also want to provide space for people who live in apartments and only have access to the channels for a couple of hours of the day. "

Mr Morley, the works All over The World as an academic Moderator, was living on a boat for three years.

part of the guidance issued by The Canal and River Trust was to avoid, for pedestrians and cyclists, to protect the areas where the boats are moored, and boating.

"If you made any, you're told duty of the tow-path," Mr Morley, but added, Hockley Port has not been closed to members of The Public , "so that we can get really, people go past us".

The Canal and River Trust said it wanted The People to continue with The Network " to spend in order to enjoy the benefits of time by the water".

"We just ask that you be responsible and considerate when doing so. "

to follow the BBC's West Midlands . Send your ideas:

uk canals, birmingham, coronavirus lockdown measures, coronavirus pandemic, burnley, social distancing, sandwell, paddington, blackburn, edgbaston

Source of news: bbc.com