Towpath transformation planned at city centre site
CONTRACTORS Richardson and Ask are working with the Canal & River Trust and its neighbouring developments, including Mustard Wharf, to improve a 200m stretch of towpath in Leeds city centre.
This runs from the trust’s office at Fearns Wharf to the Railway Bridge to provide a route by the water to and from the city’s railway station.
Having been in need of repair for some time, the 200-year-old pathway is popular with walkers, joggers, cyclists and anglers. This traffic-free route is a popular spot away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
Design work is currently under way which will improve the section of towpath adjacent to the Tower Works site in the heart of Leeds and a start on site will be made as soon as the current restrictions allow.
Commenting on the works Alan Daines, infrastructure services regional manager for the Canal & River Trust, said: “Leeds Southbank area is undergoing a huge transformation presently. Landmark developments close to our canal network, such as Tower Works, are coming to fruition all the time.
“With our research showing that spending time by water can help to improve our health, well-being and happiness we are working closely with developments to help communities to connect to their local waterway and realise the benefits of being by the water. Previous custodians of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal have undertaken a variety of approaches to towpath repairs over the years, leaving a disjointed and uneven surface due to the different materials used.
“Thanks to the support of developers like Richardson and Ask, our charity is able to realise more ambitious programmes and extend existing works to provide safe pathways with improved access near to water. We have already begun work at Mustard Wharf and the new, continuous path of York stone will look superb.”
Alison Carroll, development project manager for Ask Real Estate, said: “Canal & River Trust is a key stakeholder and we are delighted to be working with them and our neighbours on this important work.
“When building work commences on the Tower Works site we will be partnering with the trust and our construction contractors Sir Robert McAlpine to erect hoardings along the canal path where it borders the site which will ensure we have no impact on the canal during the build programme.
“During the construction phase the towpath will be out of bounds for safety reasons and the path improvement works will take place concurrently to the building of phase one at Tower Works, so when the development work is completed the canal path will also be ready for use.”