People are being invited to give their views on proposals by CityConnect to improve the towpath of the Calder & Hebble Navigation.
Proposals for improvements to the 2km stretch of towpath between Bridge 1 at Sowerby Bridge Basin and Hollas Lane Bridge include, resurfacing, widening where possible, relaying of coping stones where they have become overgrown and uneven and improving signage.
To take part in the consultation online or find further information, people can visit www.cyclecityconnect.co.uk/projects/calderdale-canals/(external link)where they can leave comments directly on the maps. The can also email cityconnect@westyorks-ca.gov.uk or write to: CityConnect Team, Wellington House, 40-50 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 2DE. People have until Sunday 16 April to share their views.
Cllr Keith Wakefield, West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Chair said:
“The canal network is an important and impressive part of our heritage that should be enjoyed by all kinds of users and remain as a reminder of our great industrial past. These towpaths are perfect off highway routes to take people in and out of the cities and neighbouring towns, away from traffic and air pollution. Improving these routes will allow people to access employment, training or leisure activities, giving them opportunity to engage in physical activity and realise the vast health benefits of cycling, walking or other modes of active travel.”
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, Cllr Barry Collins, said:
“It’s great news that improvement works are planned for this stretch of towpath. Having good quality, off-road, traffic free routes to walk, cycle or jog gives people the chance to use the canal as a route to work or to maintain an active lifestyle. This scheme is central to the delivery of the Council’s emerging Cycling Strategy and supports our Active Calderdale mission, encouraging people to be more active in any way they choose.”
The Calder & Hebble Navigation scheme is the last to be delivered as part of a wider CityConnect Canals project to improve four of West Yorkshire’s canal towpaths. Project funding was awarded as part of the second round of Government’s Cycle City Ambition Grant in 2014.
Consultations on canal schemes to date have shown strong overall support, with over 90% of people who attended events and commented online responding that they would welcome the towpaths improvements.