The full stretch of towpath on the Rochdale canal in Calderdale will soon be fully accessible for the first time, as work begins to install bridge decks along the canal weirs.
Calderdale Council is supporting work to improve access across seven weirs on the Rochdale canal between Todmorden and Luddendenfoot, in partnership with the Canal and River Trust, the nation’s largest canal charity. Around £400k of Active Travel England funding secured through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, will support the project,
The new bridges, around 1.5 metres in width, will be installed over each of the seven weirs. These will improve accessibility, allowing people to cross the weirs safely. The planned improvements are based on feedback collected as part of previous engagement work, which asked people to choose their preferred option for improvements to Kilnhurst Weir.
Work is being delivered in phases and will begin with work at Luddendenfoot weir and Stubbing weir in Hebden Bridge.
The second phase of works will see improvements to weirs at Kilnhurst, Woodhouse, Shaw Wood, Eastwood and Stoodley.
Preparation work will begin from Monday 16 March, with work to clear vegetation and re-lay cobbles, to allow the deck boards to be installed safely.
As part of the installation process, the deck boards for the bridges will be delivered by a Canal & River Trust workboat, before being fully assembled on site.
The improvements will complement recent Combined Authority-funded work to the canal towpath between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge.
Further improvements are also planned to the towpath between Todmorden and Walsden as part of the Active Todmorden project, in partnership with the Todmorden Town Deal board and funded by the Town Deal fund and the Combined Authority.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Housing, Cllr Scott Patient, said:
“These works will transform the canal towpath between Todmorden and Luddendenfoot. Currently, when the weirs are in use, there is just a small wooden board for people to cross the weir without getting wet – clearly this isn’t suitable or safe, especially for those with prams or using wheelchairs.
“The installation of decking, along with other improvements along the canal, will allow the roughly 12 mile stretch of towpath from Luddendenfoot to Walsden to be fully accessible for the first time in its history, with step-free access opening up active travel opportunities for all.
“The plans are based on local feedback, including input from local disability groups, and reflect the heritage of the area, ensuring that any modifications are sympathetic to the existing surroundings.”
Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, Councillor Peter Carlill, said:
“This project will make it easier for everybody to walk, wheel or cycle along this historic canal.
“Getting active improves our health and wellbeing, reduces carbon emissions and helps protect our environment.
“This is part of our mission to make West Yorkshire better-connected and accessible for all.”
Mark Robinson, enterprise manager at Canal & River Trust, said:
“We know this canal towpath is well used by the local community. So, it’s fantastic to see this project to install bridges to the weirs under construction, providing better access along this stretch of Rochdale Canal towpath.
“The canal was vital to the Industrial Revolution. And, thanks to the hard work of the Trust and our volunteers, it is still navigated by boats today, as well as providing much-loved walking and cycling routes for the local community and a home for wildlife.
“As a charity, it’s so important that we work with other organisations to keep our historic canals open and alive. This project is a fantastic example of how we can work together to make canals more welcoming and attractive, part of ensuring they remain navigable for boats, accessible for local people and in support of wildlife.”
ENDS