Historic canal towpath wins £2m upgrade
THE WHEELS are in motion for a new multi-million pound scheme to improve cycling and walking access along the Rochdale Canal route.
More than £2m will be spent to make the six-kilometre stretch between Hebden Bridge and Todmorden easier for cyclists and walkers to access.
The canal towpath will be resurfaced and widened to provide an alternative route to the busy A646 road. It will also build on the improvements made to a 10km section between Hebden Bridge and Sowerby Bridge.
The scheme, which will use Department for Transport funding, secured by the Combined Authority and Calderdale Council, with additional contributions from both organisations, will be delivered in partnership with Canal & River Trust.
Coun Kim Groves, the chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s (WYCA) Transport Committee, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Calderdale Council and Canal & River Trust to improve this section of the Rochdale Canal. This will provide people travelling by bike or on foot through the valley with a safe, scenic traffic-free route all year round.
“As well as providing missing links in local cycling and walking infrastructure, these improvements are helping open up access to some of our best countryside.”
The works between Hebden Bridge and Todmorden are due to start in the spring and be completed by autumn.