Cable works start on London towpaths

NATIONAL Grid is carrying out a two-year phased programme of essential works to remove old cables laid beneath the towpath of the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal and the Regent’s Canal.

As part of the works, which were set to start on July 20, the Canal & River Trust has agreed with National Grid that the towpath surface will be upgraded and, where possible, widened to a minimum width of two metres.

The oil-filled cables, which have reached the end of their useful life, are no longer needed to supply London and have been replaced by the now operational London Power Tunnels (LPT), a new network of electricity cable tunnels in the capital.

The project was commissioned in 2018 and opened by HRH the Prince of Wales. Removal of the cables will help to safeguard the local environment and waterways from any potential damage in the future.

CRT’s London & South East regional director Ros Daniels said: “These works are vital for the ongoing health of the waterways and the improvements to the towpath will benefit all those who use London’s canals for walking, cycling, boating or simply having a moment of peace.”

The first phase will see the removal of the cables from the towpath on the Paddington Arm at Old Oak Lane, gradually working two kilometres east towards Scrubs Lane.

Due to limited access along the towpath and the complexities of the work the trust will have to close this section of canal towpath until early November. Boaters are being asked not to moor in this section, as there will be a mooring suspension in place.

A towpath diversion will be clearly signposted and the trust would urge anyone using the towpath to factor in a little extra time to make the journey.

This is the first phase of the project which will ultimately see the removal of the cables along about seven kilometres of towpath between Old Oak Lane and Lisson Grove as part of a wider two-year programme by National Grid to decommission cables between Tottenham and Wimbledon.