Kildwick to Silsden Consultation FAQs

Project background

The Canal and River Trust works in partnership with Local Authorities, Combined Authorities, other charities and grant funders to improve our canal network.
Much of this work focusses on the towpaths as these provide opportunities for walkers and wheelers to exercise and make useful journeys and are often attractive opportunities to funders who wish to increase active travel and enable happier healthier communities.

Kildwick to Silsden towpath upgrade

The Trust have long wanted to improve the towpath here. It is often muddy and, in places the towpath slopes away from the canal, making the laying of paths tricky. This is the first time that funding has been secured that enables work on both sides of the boundary between Bradford and North Yorkshire.

This section is often known as “The Missing Link” as it the only section of the Leeds & Liverpool towpath that has not been provided with a surface of some kind.

Improvements to the towpath will provide a safe, quiet, traffic-free route between the two settlements and give people an enhanced experience of travelling by foot and by bike.

Such improvements also make it easier for people with mobility issues to access the towpath, and for everyone to share the space.

What is being proposed?

Proposed improvements include:

Improving the towpath surface to make it easier for people to walk and cycle, and make it more accessible for people with mobility difficulties or people who use mobility aids to access for the route. This will involve the provision of a new stone surface, which we will widen where we can while also keeping grass verges and native plants and trees to support wildlife.

We will build up the rear of the towpath so that the new surface can be made flat, which will make it easier to use and make it easier to maintain.

We will add some signs and barriers that will help people navigate and keep cars from accessing the towpath, where they shouldn’t.

Why has Centrack been chosen for the surface?

Centrack is a naturally occurring limestone material which creates a decorative, durable, compact surface that is in-keeping with the rural nature of the area. It has been used on the towpath to the west of Kildwick, where it has performed well.

It has been chosen by the Local Planning Authorities as the most suitable surface in this location as it matches other sections of towpath and blends with the local character.

Who is responsible for delivering the scheme?

The scheme is being delivered by waterways charity Canal & River Trust, in parentship with North Yorkshire Council, Bradford metropolitan District Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority

The Combined Authority works with local authorities and businesses across West Yorkshire and York to create economic growth through large and small scale infrastructure projects such as this.

What is the total cost of the scheme?

The overall budget for the package of proposed schemes is around £1.8 million. This may seem a lot for a 3km section of stone path, but the sloping nature of the towpath means that a lot material will be needed to make it flat.

Our Partners at North Yorkshire and Bradford Council’s have worked hard to secure the funding.

In North Yorkshire £900k has been approved from the Net Zero Fund which has been secured from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to provide projects that can deliver significant carbon reductions and contribute to the region’s ambition to be net zero by 2034.

Alongside carbon reduction, investment aims to:

create a pipeline of net zero projects that will drive economic growth
create jobs
reduce energy costs for businesses and communities
leverage further investment for the region

In West Yorkshire £900k is coming from the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund Tranche 4 (ATF4). The Active Travel Fund is grant funding provided by the Department of Transport to support local transport authorities with producing cycling and walking facilities.

What do you hope to achieve by making these improvements?

The aims of the scheme are to:

Offer residents the choice of making more journeys by bike or on foot, by providing quality and safe pedestrian and cycling routes linking local communities and facilities.
Contribute to an overall improvement in air quality and environmental impacts in the district by enabling more people to use sustainable and active modes of travel such as walking and cycling.
Improve accessibility so that more people are able to enjoy the mental health and wellbeing benefits of spending time beside the canal.

Are cyclists allowed on the towpath?

Cyclists are allowed on all our towpath but are asked to share with care and give way to walkers and other vulnerable users. Information on our Share the Space, Drop the Pace campaign and the Towpath Code can be found on our webpage.

Are horseriders allowed on the towpath?

Unfortunately, the narrow spaces and low bridges present here mean that horse-riding is not appropriate.

Timescales for delivery

We are looking to start work on site in the winter of 2024 and be finished by March 2025.

Will the towpath be closed while works take place?

As the towpath sits within a narrow corridor, it is likely that the towpath will need to be closed at certain times. We will work with contractors to make sure advance notice of closures is given and that they are well advertised.

When will you have the final plans?

Finalisation of detailed design will commence following this period of public engagement and will be uploaded to this webpage, along with a description of what has changed as a result of comments.

Who is paying for the improvements? Where is the money coming from?

The overall budget for the package of schemes being proposed is £1.8 million.

Alongside carbon reduction, investment aims to:

create a pipeline of net zero projects that will drive economic growth
create jobs
reduce energy costs for businesses and communities
leverage further investment for the region

This funding has been allocated specifically for this and therefore the funding cannot be spent on any other proposals or schemes.

What is West Yorkshire Combined Authority?

West Yorkshire Combined Authority was formed in April 2014 to be the driving force for economic growth across the Kirklees, Bradford, Leeds, Calderdale and Wakefield districts and the City of York Council area. West Yorkshire Combined Authority brings together key decision-making powers into a single body. To find out more visit: www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk.

What is Canal & River Trust?

Canal & River Trust is the UK’s largest waterways charity which maintains and cares for 2,000 miles of canals and rivers across England and Wales.

Public engagement

Who can take part? Can I tell other people to take part?

We welcome everyone’s opinions and feedback. Whether you live or work in the area or just travel through, your views, opinions and insight is valuable to help us shape our project.

Please share the link to this page with anyone you think would be interested in taking part. If you intend to submit a joint response on behalf of a group/organisation, please share the link with your colleagues/members so they have the opportunity to provide an individual response, should they wish to do so.

When can I take part?

The period of public engagement is open from 24 July to 21 August.

How can I take part?

You can:

Complete our survey
Ask a question in the question and answer (Q&A) section of the page

Send an email to: [email protected]

What will you do with the results?

Your comments will help inform the development of our plans and provide an opportunity to identify any issues that we are not aware of.

Frequently asked questions