We have secured funding for the project from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development with further support from Craven District Council and the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership.
Although much of the work has been completed, we have made the decision to halt activity on the remaining stretches to protect its staff and subcontractors.
Limit your towpath use
Residents are also being urged to limit their use of towpaths, avoid any stretches with boats moored against the towpath, and strictly observe social distancing at all times.
Richard Parry, our chief executive said: “The Trust has continuously reviewed its response to the current crisis and took the decision on Wednesday, 25 March, to suspend all on-site project and construction works as soon as can safely be done, other than where the work is dealing with a critical safety issue.
“Towpath improvement and enhancement works are not essential safety related works so we have therefore taken the decision to suspend them.
“We appreciate the challenge this presents for both our contractors and their supply chains and our funders, but our colleagues', contractors' and customers' health and wellbeing are paramount.”
Sean McGinley, director Yorkshire & North East at the Trust added: “While many sections of our towpaths remain open, please be aware that use of them should now be limited.
"In these unprecedented times, our priority is to support the national effort to keep people safe, following the Government's advice and taking the appropriate action to protect our colleagues and partners, and everyone who visits, or lives on and around, our canals and river navigations.
“If our canals and rivers are local to you, and you use the towpath for your daily exercise or journey to undertake essential work, please now avoid any stretches with boats moored against the towpath, and strictly observe social distancing at all times, following the latest advice from Government.”
The Trust will be continuing to monitor Government advice and hopes to resume work on the Craven towpath project later in the year.
Better access
In total, the project will see more than 11km of the towpath in Craven improved, as identified in the Access Development Plan commissioned by Craven District Council and written by Sustrans, to improve accessibility along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in the District.
The towpath is being resurfaced with a natural limestone material which creates a durable and compact surface. It will be widened at key hotspots, including Gargrave and Broughton Road, to provide better access to and from Skipton railway station and employment sites in the town.
There will also be new ‘welcome' and information boards about key points of interest and visitor facilities in and around the canal, and additional waymarking signage to help people find their way onto the waterway.
A new canoe portage point in Gargrave, in association with Desmond Family Canoe Trail, will help paddlers get onto the water and enjoy England's first coast-to-coast canoe trail.
