We are currently half way through a project to widen and resurface the canal towpath from outside Waitrose to Billet Lane. The extension of the current works will mean a further section of towpath from Billet Lane to Bushes Lock (Lock number 50) will be improved as part of the current improvement works.
Once finished the project, which is costing approximately £200,000 and is being funded by the Canal & River Trust, Hertfordshire County Council, Dacorum Borough Council, Berkhamsted Town Council and several others, will allow easy, pot hole and puddle free access to and from the canal for local residents and visitors to the waterways.
Drier ground
Charles Baker, our senior project manager said: “This is a very popular stretch of the Grand Union Canal and I'm delighted that with this extra external funding we can improve the entire stretch of towpath through Berkhamsted. This part of towpath used to suffer badly with big puddles when it rained and was quite narrow in places so once the work is finished, local people should notice a massive difference and no longer get soggy socks and muddy shoes when walking along the towpath.”
John Best, chair of the South East Waterways Partnership for the Trust, said: “Canals are really great places to visit so it's great news we can improve more towpath than first thought. Once finished, I hope local people will spend some time exploring the canal, whilst enjoying some gentle exercise and fresh air.”
During the works the towpath will be closed to the general public, with access only for moored boaters. A signed diversion route is currently in place and the works should be finished by the end of April 2015.
