Canal Charity Launches Public Engagement For Improvements To Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Canal & River Trust, the nation’s largest canal charity, in partnership with Bradford Council, North Yorkshire Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), is inviting the public to have their say on proposals for towpath improvements along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

This 3km (2-mile) section of historic towpath between Kildwick and Silsden is located on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and offers some of the most uplifting open countryside anywhere on England’s canal network.

It is the final ‘missing link’ section of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath to be re-surfaced.

The proposed towpath improvement scheme is expected to cost in the region of £1.8 million and will enable more puddle-free journeys on foot and by bike and improve accessibility for wheelchair and pushchair users.

With research showing that time spent by water can help people feel happier and healthier, and with more people looking for a local escape on their doorstep, these works will make it easier and more appealing for people to get out and explore the local canals and other routes on their doorstep.

Funding has been secured in North Yorkshire from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Net Zero Fund, sourced from the Government’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, to provide projects that can deliver significant carbon reductions and contribute to the region’s ambition to be net zero by 2034.

In West Yorkshire, funding comes from Active Travel England and is grant funding provided by the Department of Transport to support local transport authorities with providing cycling and walking facilities.

The towpath proposals include:
Improving the towpath surface
Improving access for people with mobility difficulties and for pushchair users
Widening the towpath (where possible) while retaining grass verges, native plants and trees to support wildlife habitats
Adding new signage
Removing any unnecessary access barriers

From 24 July until 21 August 2024, local residents, businesses and canal users can share their feedback on the proposals. Comments received will inform the design process. Information about the project and details of the proposals are on the Canal & River Trust website, visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/kildwick-silsden

A drop-in event at Silsden Town Hall will take place on 31 July 2024, from 12:00 until 18:00. Plans will be available to see in-person, with staff from Canal & River Trust on hand to answer any questions.

Mark Robinson, enterprise manager at Canal & River Trust, said:
“This section of towpath along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal is popular and well used by the local community, boaters and visitors. We’re delighted that funding has been secured.

“As a charity it’s so important that we work with other organisations to keep our historic canals alive. This towpath upgrade project is a fantastic example of how we can work together to make canals more welcoming and attractive, not only to local people but also visiting boaters, who bring important economic benefits to the local communities.

“We strongly encourage people to take a look at these proposals and have their say on how they can be improved.”

Councillor Alex Ross, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport Bradford, said:
“It took a lot of hard work and lobbying for us to secure this funding, so I’m delighted to see things progressing to this stage. The Silsden to Kildwick section of the canal towpath is the last section to be properly upgraded in the region and has been a frequent request from the public for some time. I hope people take this opportunity to find out about plans and offer their feedback.”

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Keane Duncan, said:
“We are encouraging as many people as possible to take part in the consultation on proposals to secure the future of the much-used towpath. It is a fantastic project that will encourage more people to walk and cycle in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside.”

Cllr Peter Carlill, Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “Projects like this are vital in our mission to make it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle in West Yorkshire.

“I’d encourage people to have their say on these proposals to help build a greener, better-connected region that works for everyone.”

To find out about the work of Canal & River Trust and how you can support, either through volunteering or making a donation, visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk