We have rebuilt canal walls along a five-mile stretch of the 200-year-old waterway between locks 3 and 7 after they were badly damaged during the heavy rainfall in winter 2015. The work to stabilise the canal wall was completed ahead of scheduled improvements to the towpath this summer.
Richard Spencer, our senior project manager said: "Thanks to funding from Calderdale Council and our supporters we've been able to carry out these vital repairs to the canal's 200-year-old wall. These improvements will ensure the canal and towpath are in good condition for the hundreds of boaters who use the canal as well as offering a clean, green traffic-free commuting and exercise route for families, cyclists and joggers.
"This is part of the first phase of improvements to the canal. We're delighted that the towpath will be upgraded during the summer, which will make a real difference for everyone who enjoys using the canal."
Cllr Barry Collins, Calderdale Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, added: "The Council has provided funding for this project as part of its continued flood recovery works following the devastating 2015 floods. It's great to see this and other flood repairs across Calderdale being completed, as it sends out a strong message that the borough is still a fantastic place to visit and enjoy. It's also important to us that local people have as many opportunities as possible to walk and cycle, as we want Calderdale to be the most active borough in the North."
Small, localised sections between Locks 7 and 8 are scheduled for completion during a navigational stoppage in November 2017.
Work to improve and resurface the canal towpath all the way between Lock 1 in Sowerby Bridge and Bridge 20 in Hebden Bridge will begin in the summer. Funded through the Department for Transport's Cycle City Ambition Grant and delivered by us, the scheme will create a 10km high quality route to improve connectivity between communities along the valley.
