A MAJOR investment company has admitted failings in the run up to the death of a cyclist.

The Peel Group owns the stretch of Bridgewater Canal in Trafford where Catherine Sharman, of Whitefield, drowned in September last year.

It has now said that cyclists should not use that part of the towpath and that warning signs should have been in place.

The corporation also admitted that more than eight months after the fatal accident signs have yet to be erected.

During an inquest at Stockport Coroner’s Court last week Michael Webb, canal manager for Peel Investments, was challenged on the safety failings.

He said: “There should have been signs on that section that said no cycling. These signs were not present.”

Joanne Kearsley, deputy coroner for South Manchester, drew attention to signs encouraging cycling on other parts of the canal.

She said: “So the signs are completely misleading?”

“It’s not clear that cycling isn’t permitted beyond the last section,” replied Mr Webb.

“I’m going to go further and say it’s wrong,” said Mrs Kearsley who then asked why signs have yet to be put in place.

“I don’t have a reason,” he said.

The coroner called his explanation ‘completely unacceptable’.

The inquest heard how the towpath was too thin for bikes to safely pass, while vegetation had grown over mooring posts that were difficult to see.

Keen cyclist Mrs Sharman had been travelling to work along the towpath on September 30 to avoid traffic in Manchester City Centre.

When she reached the stretch close to the northern car park at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium she entered the water with her bike.

Relatives at the hearing questioned how the ‘active, fit’ 40-year-old was unable to recover but pathologist Dr Michael Scott said that drowning could have taken seconds.

Mrs Kearsley recorded a verdict of accidental death. She added that she will be writing formally to the Peel Group.

*AFTER the inquest the mother of Catherine Sharman spoke emotionally of hearing details of how her daughter was found.

Maureen Dennis said: “The inquest was horrific for many reasons but the most upsetting part of it for me was to hear the witness accounts of how Catherine was found.

“I feel quite traumatised by this, as up until this day I had formed my own images of what might have happened.

“These accounts have opened up barely healed wounds in a most brutal way.

“I think it is quite outrageous that inquests can take so long to be finalised - in this case more than nine months.”

Mrs Dennis also hit out at the condition of the towpath. Peel Holdings has admitted bikes should not have been used on it, and that the necessary signs were not in place.

“The shocking state of the tow path was the most likely cause of the accident,” she said.

“My recurring nightmare is that Catherine had a fall, was aware that she was in trouble and was unable to save herself.

“I so hope that she was unaware during her final moments but unfortunately we can never know.

“The area should not be regarded as safe or appropriate for cyclists or even for walkers. There are dangerous obstacles too numerous to count “Nothing has been done to improve the situation which is disgraceful and completely unacceptable. Does no-one care?

“This is a shocking and needless waste of the life of our beautiful daughter.

“She was an amazing girl in so many ways - utterly delightful, witty, intelligent, kind, full of energy and fun.

“The loss to us is impossible to contemplate and we will never ever get over this.”