Towpath improvements begin along Llangollen Canal

The project will see the 1400 metres of towpath improved and widened from Gledrid, which links Shropshire to the World Heritage Site, to the Lions Quay Hotel and Spa. The £180,000 programme is being funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Once completed it is hoped more people will visit the canal and World Heritage Site giving a welcome boost to tourism in the local community.

Combined with earlier improvements to the towpath throughout the World Heritage Site once these new towpath works are finished it will mean visitors can enjoy easy access to the waterways and a safe green, traffic free route from Shropshire to the Horseshoe Falls at Llantysilio, Denbighshire.

Adnan Saif, director of West Midlands, said: “The Llangollen Canal is a beautiful waterway and is a lovely place to visit. These towpath works will mean people can visit throughout the year without having the worry about uneven surfaces, potholes or getting muddy shoes and boots.

“Improving access to our waterways is one of the ways we are trying to get people more active and out on the canal. Research shows that being next to water improves your mental and physical health and, now that the summer is here, I can think of no better place to be than on the Llangollen Canal exploring our canal heritage.”