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Success is in the nature of canal access scheme

9th Dec 2003

Visitors to the Grantham Canal at Gamston can take a walk on the wild side thanks to a partnership project that is opening up the waterway to everyone.

British Waterways has teamed up with The Waterways Trust, Rushcliffe Borough Council and WREN – Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd – to deliver a fully accessible towpath walk along a stretch of canal teeming with wildlife.

The £50k project is part of the Grantham Canal Waterway Access For All initiative – WAFA – and includes a range of features designed to encourage responsible multi-user leisure activity.

British Waterways Project Manager John Nuttall said the works aimed to integrate the canal and its towpath more closely with the busy adjacent areas.

“This section of the towpath has become increasingly popular in recent years and we want to showcase the natural attractions of the waterway by providing safe, all year round access for everyone to enjoy,” said Mr Nuttall.

Works have included the resurfacing and regrading of the towpath, the provision of access ramps, redecking of the bridge and much more.

New seating has been added at key points along the route, enabling people to absorb the relaxing surroundings and observe the varied wildlife – including swans, kingfishers, coots and moorhens – at close quarters.

The project was completed ahead of schedule thanks to the co-operation of Safeway Supermarket and David Wilson Homes, who allowed access over their land to undertake the works. The partner funding came from British Waterways (£14k), Rushcliffe Borough Council (£3k), The Waterways Trust (£7k) and Landfill Tax credit funding of £26,405 from the Waste Recycling Group Ltd, administered by WREN.

Pictured are (from left to right) Caroline Killeavy, British Waterways, Tony Wilkinson, Chair of the Grantham Canal Partnership, Mayor David Bell, Rushcliffe Borough Council, Roger Hanbury, The Waterways Trust, Penny Beaumont, WREN.

Last updated: 22/10/2008