Work to improve access to the Rochdale Canal in Mytholmroyd will be starting on site next week, in a joint project by Calderdale Council and Pennine Prospects.
The work involves re-surfacing the canal towpath between Redacre Bridge and Burnley Road through the centre of Mytholmroyd, along with improvements to access points to make the canal easier to get to. The project is being carried out under Canal Connections – a long-term programme aiming to encourage more people to visit and enjoy the canal through improvements to the environment, access and interpretation.
Wide community support for the scheme was received during consultation on the Canal Connections programme, with a large majority of local people stating that an improved towpath surface would encourage them to use the canal more. The project has received the backing of the Mytholmroyd town team, Royd Regeneration.
The work taking place will include the construction of a new ramp and steps allowing easier access at Redacre bridge to the canal towpath. There will be opportunities for the local community to get involved in wildflower and bulb planting along the canalside once the construction work is complete.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Environment, Cllr Barry Collins, said:
“This will be a great scheme for Mytholmroyd. It builds on successful regeneration projects brought forward by Royd Regeneration in recent years and will open up this popular stretch of canal to greater numbers of visitors.”
Work will be undertaken by Luddendenfoot firm Jagger Construction Services Ltd under the supervision of Calderdale Council’s Engineering Services department and is expected to take around 10 weeks. A Contractors’ compound will be established next to the car park at Grange Dene for the duration of the works.
Funding for the project is being provided through the South Pennines LEADER programme (Rural Development Programme for England), which is jointly funded by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and the European Union, and managed by Pennine Prospects.
For further information please contact Anne Holdsworth, Environmental Projects Officer, Calderdale Council, tel 01422 392249, email anne.holdsworth@calderdale.gov.uk