Worksop: Revamped canal towpath opens

A new stretch of canal towpath will be officially opened after a £231,000 project to make it easier for people to use as a clean, green traffic free route into the heart of Worksop. Picture includes Coun Sybil Fielding, Derek Goodenough of Veolia enviromental trust, Danny Brennan and Lucie Hoelmer of Canal and River Trust, John Wilkinson of Notts County Council, Lizzie Thompson of Veolia and Robin Stonebridge of Chesterfield Canal Trust
(w130621-3) — A new stretch of canal towpath will be officially opened after a £231,000 project to make it easier for people to use as a clean, green traffic free route into the heart of Worksop. Picture includes Coun Sybil Fielding, Derek Goodenough of Veolia enviromental trust, Danny Brennan and Lucie Hoelmer of Canal and River Trust, John Wilkinson of Notts County Council, Lizzie Thompson of Veolia and Robin Stonebridge of Chesterfield Canal Trust (w130621-3)

Thanks to a £231,000 revamp by The Canal and River Trust, the towpath is much more user-friendly improving accessibility for all.

The section of the path which has been improved as part of the scheme is almost 1.5km between The Lockeeper pub on Sandy Lane and Worksop town centre.

This adds to the 3km of towpath already upgraded in the area.

“The Chesterfield Canal is a fantastic green corridor running right into the heart of Worksop,” said Lucie Hoelmer, enterprise manager for the Canal and River Trust.

“This project will help to make life just a little bit easier for those that use it, whatever their age or ability.”

The project has been part funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Notts County Council boosted the project further and a grant from The Veolia Environmental Trust, who awarded £40,000 through the Landfill Communities Fund, added to the final fund.

“The canal is a brilliant alternative route into the town, rich in wildlife and steeped in history, and we hope this project will see more people than ever enjoying their time by the water, whether they be feeding the ducks or travelling to work,” added Lucie.“It means that 200 years after it was first built, the canal can continue to play an important part in daily life.”

The operations manager of The Veolia Environmental Trust, Maria Cade, added her delight to the completion of the scheme.

“It is great to hear this project is complete. It is an excellent example of how the Trust and the Landfill Communities Fund can improve footpaths so they can be used and enjoyed by all, whatever the weather.”

County councillor Sybil Fielding, who also sits on the Chesterfield Canal Partnership Board, said that the canal was a wonderful asset for the area.

“The walks along the Chesterfield Canal are absolutely stunning and both myself and Coun Kevin Greaves are delighted that the council has been involved in funding the latest towpath improvements. They will benefit both young and old.”

“This is such a busy route into Worksop and features the flight of locks, the marina at Shireoaks and the regeneration of the creative studios and workshops.”