Towpath upgrade at Wootton Brook
IWA Northampton branch adopted the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal in 2013. There are 24 regular work parties each year, and in recent years it has beenpartnered on the weekdays by staff from Cummins Power Systems in Daventry.
Over the years there have been a number of housing developments to the west of the town through which the arm runs. Over the last 10 years various council initiatives have used developer contributions to fund vast improvements to the towpath between lock 17 (Northampton town centre) to beyond lock 14 where the housing area now extends. Cummins helped fundand lay asmall extension to the path in 2019.
The recent lockdowns have contributed to a vast increase in foot and cycle traffic along the towpath; many of these walkers and cyclists now use the towpath regularly. A stretch of towpath remained which was still in its original stateand turned very muddy in wet weather, often passable only by the brave.
The Northampton Branch team resolved to improve it. The parish council was very supportive, Canal & River Trust was on board and local business Cummins was keen to offer support by paying for the materials and providing staff to help.
In May 2022, during very hot weather, a 70m stretch of path was dug out and levelled, 35 tonnes of gravel barrowed along from the nearest access point and 30 ice lollies consumed! After a summer of further refining the plans, in September a further 70m stretch was dug and levelled, 35 tonnes of gravel shifted, laid and compacted, countless cups of coffee drunk and some new faces were seen among the IWAvolunteers.
The last full day of work brought heavy rain showers, a visit fromCRT’s Richard Parry and some thoughts on the missing140 or sometres to lock 13 which theyhope to complete in 2023.