Towpath between Victoria Bridge and Market Drayton Aqueduct, Shropshire Union Canal

We are pleased to advise that the towpath improvement works have completed ahead of schedule and the towpaths are now fully open.

To most effectively maintain access to moorings and the town during the works, these will be run in a series of phases:

Sect 1: Berresford Road to Newcastle Road.

Closed from Monday 19th July

Open from Wednesday 4th August

Sect 2: Newcastle Road to Betton Road

Closed from Weds 4th August

Open from Tues 17th August

Sect 3: Betton Road to the A53.

Closed from Tuesday 17th August

Open from Monday 6th September

Sect 4: A53 to Maer Lane.

Closed from Mon 19th July

Open from Monday 20th September

To keep you safe, we’ll be managing the sections as follows:

• Sections marked as ‘Open’ will be fully available for mooring, walking and using access points during the periods indicated
• Sections marked as ‘Closed’  will have no access for either boats or towpath users during the periods indicated
• The customer service facilities will remain available for supervised access throughout.

Please note that as a result of this phased approach, the works are likely to take a little longer to complete, but we’re confident of completion ahead of the floating market and the Ginger & Spice Festival.

The works are now starting on 12 July, and expected to last for seven weeks. To carry out the work safely the towpath will initially be closed, but as soon as is practically possible sections of the towpath will be reopened to provide access from the canal to the town nearby. During the work, the canal will remain open to boaters who will have supervised access to the visitor moorings and the customer services facilities.

Whilst we appreciate that doing this work over the summer isn’t ideal for boaters and local people, we do need drier, warmer weather in order to carry out the work as quickly as possible whilst causing the least amount of disruption. Thank you for your patience.

For further information, please visit:- https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/where-we-work/west-midlands/market-drayton-towpath-improvements

The towpath will be closed but navigation is unaffected. This towpath project is funded by Rural Payments Agency under EFRAD Rural Tourism Infrastructure. Works to be carried out include improving towpath surface and orientation signage. 

The visitor moorings along this stretch of towpath will also be closed. The Customer Service Facility will remain open for boating customers. We kindly ask customers to follow directions from contractors on site and take extra care when accessing the facilities.

For the latest information regarding Covid-19 and any restrictions or impact it may be having on our waterways please visit https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/safety-on-our-waterways/coronavirus