Work has now completed on a £168,000 project to resurface a 1km stretch of towpath alongside the Worcester & Birmingham Canal in Alvechurch, which will give residents all-seasons access to the waterway.
While useable in the summer, the previous path became very muddy during the wet winter months, making the route, which is a handy shortcut through the village, a challenge for local residents. The new path, installed by the Canal & River Trust, will ensure that, whatever the weather, people can enjoy the canal safely and without the danger of getting stuck in the mud.
Nick Leech, contract delivery manager for the Canal & River Trust, said: “We’re really excited to get Alvechurch residents back enjoying the waterways come rain or shine. We know more and more people are using the canals, whether that’s boating, walking or cycling, so it’s great the new surface will enable people to do this all year round. We’ve had a great reaction so far, and I’d definitely encourage everybody to come and enjoy it for themselves.”
Andy Humphries, chairman of Alvechurch Parish Council, comments: “These towpath improvements are greatly welcomed by Alvechurch Parish Council and local residents alike. They will help us to promote the canal as an important heritage and environmental asset locally. As part of our work to develop a Neighbourhood Plan, we now hope to add further value by installing information boards on the new towpaths to help visitors to the Parish.”
Community orchard boosting wildlife and combats flood risk
'Let's Fish!' sessions are back
Discovering the Walsall Canal
Public Spaces Protection Order secured for Earlswood Lakes
Works have begun on Hartford blue bridge
The tragic loss of our colleague, Clive Porter
Trevor Basin Visitor Centre gets a lockdown makeover
Repair project estimated £3 million to fix breach breach on the Aire & Calder Navigation