Regeneration
Improved accessibility for Walsall’s canal towpaths
Published on
Work has started to improve canal towpaths across Walsall, making them accessible for pedestrians, cyclists, and boaters all year round.
The first section of towpath, from Sneyd Wharf has now been reopened to the public with a tarmac surface. Workers will return in a few weeks to lay a surface dressing of dark stone chippings which will reflect the surroundings and heritage of the area.
Walsall Council is working in partnership with the charity, Canal & River Trust, to resurface the towpaths, improve access points and add solar lighting to around eight miles of towpath in the borough.
As part of the work Canal & River Trust has focused on the need to improve accessibility for local people and has been consulting with disabled cyclist Andrew Moult who is passionate about improving accessibility for people with disabilities. Andrew cycles using a specially designed bike which he pedals with his hands and has encountered difficulties using canal routes due to the awkward entry points. The improvements will make the towpaths more user friendly so cyclists like Andrew can enjoy them freely.
Canal towpath before work began
Canal towpath in progress with temporary tarmac surface
“ The canal towpaths in Walsall have been in a bad state of repair for a long time and the awkward entry points have meant that they are inaccessible for a lot of people. These improvements will make the canal a more attractive route for people to walk and cycle, which not only helps the environment by encouraging more active travel, but also opens up opportunities for people to travel further and feel less restricted. “
“ There is a lot of work to be done to make the canal towpaths more accessible, and completing the work has had its challenges. However, we are on track to have the work completed by the end of the year and people can look forward to using these green routes as part of their daily walk or cycle “
“ The improvements I’ve seen so far to the canal towpaths look great and I look forward to being able to cycle along Walsall’s canals in future, without having to worry about struggling to get my bike through the awkward, inaccessible entry and exit points. “
The £2.4 million investment to improve canal towpaths is just a small portion of the funding that has been secured by Walsall Council in recent years to improve the Borough. The regeneration of Walsall will improve accessibility and connectivity for residents, as well as providing lots of new opportunities and a safer, more attractive environment.
Councillor Andrew added: “There is so much work going on to deliver a better, brighter future for Walsall over the coming years. More job opportunities, more affordable housing, better public spaces and better connectivity and public transport all form part of the bigger picture. It’s a really exciting time for Walsall with significant investment in the Borough. I’m really proud of the vision for the future and excited to see everything come together.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Walsall is a Borough undergoing real transformation, creating a wealth of opportunity. There is a shared ambition to deliver well connected, attractive places where people are proud to live and work and where businesses want to locate; where there is a strong mix of housing for all our residents, where our communities are well served and all of our residents have the best life chances.
To fulfil this potential, more than £500 million of investment has been attracted and schemes are either under construction right now or have planning consent confirmed.
The Canal & River Trust cares for and brings to life 2,000 miles of canals and rivers across England & Wales. We believe waterways have the power to make a difference to bringing communities together to make a difference to their local waterway, we are creating places and spaces that can be used and enjoyed by everyone, every day. www.canalrivertrust.org.ukTotal Towns Fund amount: £2.38m, this is split as follows: Bloxwich Towns Fund £1.623m and Walsall Towns Fund £0.757m.
The total Towns Funding allocated to Active Travel and Connectivity is £4,622,000. £2,380,000 of this has been allocated to CRT to improve canal towpaths and the remaining £2,242,000 has been allocated to Walsall Council’s Strategic Transportation Team to deliver sustainable transport projects
