The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has welcomed the restoration of a two-mile stretch of the canal as an opportunity for people to ‘walk, wheel and cycle’ between North and West Yorkshire.
Supported with a grant from York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Net Zero Fund, the completion of the ‘missing link’ marks the end of a 20-year project by the Canal & River Trust along the Yorkshire section of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
David Skaith said:
“For too long, this vital missing link on the towpath represented a missed opportunity for communities in North and West Yorkshire. So, it’s a huge moment to join Mayor Tracy Brabin and Sean McGinley from the Canal & River Trust today to open this refurbished stretch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath.
“This upgrade directly connects Kildwick in North Yorkshire with Silsden in West Yorkshire, making it easier and safer for everyone to walk, wheel, and cycle.
“Our support for this project through the Net Zero Fund underlines our commitment to active travel and demonstrates the power of working across boundaries.”
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Net Zero Fund comes directly from the UK Government.
The newly upgraded 3km (2-mile) stretch between Bridge 187 in Kildwick and Bridge 191A in Silsden is the known as the ‘missing link.
The final section of the unsurfaced historic towpath in Yorkshire is to be improved by the charity.
Walkers, cyclists, wheelchair and pushchair users can now enjoy access along a 34-mile, traffic free route connecting Leeds and Bradford District to Skipton and Gargrave.
Sean McGinley, Yorkshire & North East Director for the Canal & River Trust, said:
“Over 200 years old, the Leeds & Liverpool Canal is a remarkable national treasure that requires ongoing care to remain open, navigable, and accessible for all.
“We are proud to have completed the final stage of the towpath upgrade in Yorkshire, which has also included carrying out vital canal bank repairs along waterway. And we’re grateful to partners who attracted the funding to help us complete this project.”
“These improvements not only help to safeguard our rich canal heritage but also make it easier and more appealing for more people to experience the health benefits of spending time by water.”
Local feedback gathered last year informed the final scheme design, ensuring that the upgrade meets the needs of the communities it serves.
The towpath improvements include:
- A durable, accessible self-bind surface for year-round use
- Widened sections of towpath (where possible) to support all users
- Canal bank repairs
- Restoration of historic mileposts
- Enhanced access for people with mobility challenges and pushchairs
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