The Southall Grand Union Canal Wellbeing Way has reached another milestone towards completion with the opening of a new wetland in Glade Lane Canalside Park and a new community garden in the old Lock-keeper’s cottage grounds next to the park at Norwood Bottom Lock, supported by the Mayor of London’s Green and Resilient Spaces Fund.
Southall Wellbeing Way
The Southall Wellbeing Way is a green corridor that wraps around Southall, connecting the Grand Union Canal and a chain of nearby green spaces allowing local people to step away from the urban streets and connect with nature. The canal towpaths and linked green spaces between Spikes Bridge Park and Glade Lane Canalside Park have been transformed, providing opportunities for Southall’s community and visitors to lead more active lives and boost their wellbeing, while enhancing the biodiversity and climate resilience of the area, allowing nature and people to thrive. The project has been delivered by us over the last two years alongside Ealing Council, housing association Peabody, and Ealing Council’s Sport England National Lottery funded Let’s Go Southall project.
Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban, said: ‘I’m delighted to see this inspiring project helping the local community to get outside, get active and connect with nature. This is one of ten projects supported by the Mayor’s Green and Resilient Spaces Fund and I want to congratulate all involved in making this project happen, as we continue building a fairer, greener, and more prosperous city for all Londoners.”
Making people healthier and happier
Ros Daniels, Regional Director for Canal & River Trust, said: “Spending time by the water makes people healthier and happier, and the Southall Grand Union Canal Wellbeing Way has brought the wellbeing benefits of being by water and connecting with nature right to people’s doorsteps.
“We’ve been delighted to work with our partners to be able to make a real difference to the wellbeing of the local community. The new towpath is providing better access for everybody so the canal can be enjoyed in all weathers and we can see the difference this has made by the numbers of people now using the towpath.
“We know how important the canal and green spaces are for people in Southall to take a breath, take time out and enjoy quality time with friends and family, as well as being active and outside. Seeing the project develop and deliver the new habitats has been so exciting, and watching the Southall community get involved to create and care for the new gardens and wildlife habitat along the canal is something really special.”
Offering amazing opportunities
Deirdre Costigan MP, Member of Parliament for Ealing Southall and former Deputy Leader of Ealing Council and Cabinet Member for climate action said: “I was excited to be part of starting this project as Deputy Leader of Ealing Council and delighted to now see it complete as Member of Parliament for the area. The Canal & River Trust, Ealing Council, and Peabody have taken an ambitious target and smashed it, the impact of the Southall Grand Union Canal Wellbeing Way and the associated green and natural spaces will be of incredible importance for years to come.
“The wetlands, floating reedbeds and insect and bird habitats will provide vital ecological diversity in our built-up areas and offer amazing opportunities for study. The outdoor activities and health benefits will be felt by everyone, and I look forward to seeing the use of these facilities grow and the offer expand as more people get involved.”
Councillor Blerina Hashani, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for thriving communities, said: “The new community garden is a fantastic example of the community coming together to share their passion about the environment. Through Let’s Go Southall and working with the Canal & River Trust, we can continue to give the community access to much-needed green spaces and nature.”
Coming together as a community
Sahil Khan, Director of community strategy, partnerships and funding for Peabody, said: “It has been fantastic to see local residents come together to shape this project from start to finish. We've seen firsthand the difference that improving access to the canal and linking up green spaces can make—it’s not just about having a nicer environment, but about creating thriving, biodiverse spaces where people feel welcome and can enjoy spending time. It’s been a real pleasure to work alongside the community and our partner organisations to make this happen, and we hope to see local people enjoying the benefits and nurturing these new spaces long into the future.”
Jaspal Gill, Strategic Lead for the Let’s Go Southall programme, funded by Sport England and hosted by Ealing Council, said: “In Southall we have a community committed to creating social movement for physical activity and health. There has been a real drive in creating a better health journey by the local residents. What's been a key factor in mobilising the community to be by the canal is that the community has been at the heart of this change. By listening to our communities about what’s important to them and how they would like to access these spaces, is creating a shift in the ownership of spaces and how they are activated by people.”
