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Making London's towpaths safer

15th Sep 2006

On Monday 25 September, British Waterways, which cares for 100 miles of canals and rivers and 110 acres of docks in London, will start work to widen and resurface a 400-metre section of towpath on the Grand Union Canal between Coppermill Lock and Tumbling Bay Footbridge in Harefield.

The towpath will be closed along this stretch for 13 weeks and notices at either end will provide information on an alternative route. The project, which includes bank protection work, will cost £400,000 and is being funded by British Waterways.

Traffic-free routes across the capital

Peter Walker, senior engineer for British Waterways London, explains:
"Our 200-year old canal network requires constant maintenance and these works planned for a section of the Grand Union Canal in Harefield are essential to maintain the fabric of the canal. The project will also improve access for visitors and local residents as the towpath will be wider with a new weather proof surface."

British Waterways' towpaths provide green traffic-free routes across the capital and are visited by over 16million walkers, cyclists, joggers, anglers and boaters each year. The engineering works in Harefield are part of an ongoing programme of improvements to make London’s waterways safer, more attractive and accessible for the thousands of people who use them every day.

Work on the River Stort

Another project to make London's waterways safer and more accessible is set to start this autumn in Essex. On Monday 2 October, British Waterways will start work to resurface a 600-metre section of towpath on the River Stort between Roydon Lock and Hunsdon Mead.

The towpath will be closed along this stretch for 13 weeks. The work will cost £100,000 and will make the towpath accessible for all with a new weather-proof surface, a ramp at Roydon Lock, new rest areas and marker posts, plus a new kissing gate at Hundsdon Mead.

This work is part of a wider £600,000 regeneration project funded by the Department for Communities & Local Government and British Waterways. Stage two of the works is planned for late March till July 2007 and will include the phased closure of three sections of towpath between Roydon Station and Burntmill Lane, to upgrade a total of 2200 metres of path.

Last updated: 22/10/2008