Home / Environment / Canal Towpath Gets Makeover with New Weir Bridges
Canal Towpath Gets Makeover with New Weir Bridges
14 Mar
Summary
- Seven weirs on Rochdale Canal to receive new bridges.
- £400,000 funding secured for towpath accessibility improvements.
- Work begins soon with installations at Luddendenfoot and Hebden Bridge.
Work is commencing to install bridges over seven weirs on a stretch of the Rochdale Canal, aiming to significantly improve towpath access. This initiative, part of a scheme to enhance user safety and accessibility, is being undertaken by Calderdale Council and the Canal and River Trust.
The project has secured approximately £400,000 in funding from Active Travel England, channeled through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. The installation process will begin in phases, with initial work scheduled for Luddendenfoot weir and Stubbing weir in Hebden Bridge. This approach is informed by previous public engagement regarding improvements to Kilnhurst Weir.
Subsequent phases will address weirs at Kilnhurst, Woodhouse, Shaw Wood, Eastwood, and Stoodley. The work will involve clearing vegetation and relaying cobbles before the bridge deck boards are installed. These deck boards, approximately 5ft wide, will be delivered by a Canal and River Trust workboat and assembled on-site. Recent towpath improvements have already been completed between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge, with further enhancements planned for the Todmorden to Walsden section under the Active Todmorden project.
