The work is costing £160,000 has been raised by us, together with the Devizes Air Quality and Transport Group.
It will see major improvements along the canal between Town Bridge and Cemetery Bridge. As well as the new towpath, we will create better access onto the canal for people with buggies or in wheel chairs and new signage which will direct tourists and visitors towards the town's shops and restaurants.
Whilst repairing the towpath we will also be planting environmentally friendly coir rolls along sections of the canal bank. The rolls, pre-planted with native water plants, will help protect the bank from erosion and also provide food and shelter for small animals, such as the endangered water vole, known to still live on this part of the canal.
The work is expected to last seven weeks and the towpath will be closed for the duration with a local diversion route in place.
Suzanne Featherstone, from the Trust, said: "Devizes is a really popular town with thousands of people visiting the Caen Hill lock flight every year. Improving this stretch of towpath will mean that local people and boaters can use this green traffic free route into town all year round without having to worry about getting their feet wet."
Cllr Anna Cuthbert, who chairs the Devizes Air Quality and Transport Group said: “We are delighted to be able to proceed with further improvements to the towpath. The previous phases have been well received and we know that this will encourage local residents and visitors to make use of one of the town's greatest assets.”
