KENNET District Council has agreed to give £2,000 to British Waterways to keep cycling free of charge on the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Councillors at last week's transportation sub-committee heard that in 1997 British Waterways brought in a cycling permit scheme with a £12.50 annual charge.

This was to cover signage, increased maintenance, cyclist third party insurance and the appointment of two wardens as leisure cycling became more popular along the side of the waterway.

The organisation put the annual cost of managing the towpath between Bath and Reading for the benefit of cyclists at £30,000.

But the charge for cycling was in conflict with Kennet's policy to encourage the use of sustainable forms of transport and it lobbied British Waterways to drop the charges.

British Waterways responded by drawing up a draft maintenance agreement with the local authorities.

Kennet's contribution was estimated at £2,000.

If the proposal fails, councillors were told, British Waterways will revert to charging for cycle permits.

Coun Alan Wood complained the proposal was inequitable.

He said anglers had to pay to fish in the canal and, because they were stationary, it was easier to police them. But as cyclists moved about freely, British Waterways had not been able to enforce the cycle permit system as effectively.

A report to last week's meeting said: "Should the current British Waterways proposal fail, it would be difficult to negotiate a similar agreement for part of the canal on a piecemeal basis, in the future."

Councillors voted unanimously to contribute £2,000 but to review the situation after a year.