A quick heads up if you’re thinking of cycling along the Daw End Branch of the canal between Longwood Bridge and Rushall. The hedges have been trimmed and strimmed and cut back. The result is a lovely wide towpath but it is strewn with thorns and because the clearing up operation is not as good as it could have been, small branches and large twigs. It could all prove disastrous for your tyres, so make sure that you’re prepared!