Chesterfield – Newly Refurbished Towpath

Visitors to the Chesterfield Canal will be able to get the full canal experience as a newly refurbished towpath is opened.

Over 2km of towpath between Shireoaks Station and The Lock Keeper pub on Sandy Lane have been resurfaced as part of a project which commenced in March. The resurfaced towpath has been made wider and more level making it more accessible to people of all ages and abilities and it is anticipated that the project could potentially reduce the number of car journeys in the area.

The £230,000 project has been part funded by East Midlands Development Agency and the European Regional Development Fund through the East Midlands Competitiveness Programme, with the remaining funding provided by British Waterways and Nottinghamshire County Council.

Tony Harvey, British Waterways Head of Regeneration said “This project has made the towpath far more appealing to people of all ages and abilities and the Chesterfield Canal Festival is a great opportunity for people to explore it and really get a feel for what canals are all about. By leaving the car at home and taking to the towpath they will have the opportunity to get closer to waterway wildlife and see some of the colourful narrowboats that still use the Chesterfield Canal”.

Robin Stonebridge, Chair of the Chesterfield Canal Trust welcomed the completion of the project. ”Every weekend, this section of the Cuckoo Way sees hundreds of people out by the canal – families with young children; retired couples; bird watchers; cyclists ;walking groups all relishing the peace and fresh air that’s available just a short distance from home. The Canal Trust wants to see the Chesterfield become a real resource for local communities, and truly a waterway for all”

ENDS

Media enquiries: Stephen Hardy, British Waterways’ Communications Manager on 01636 675703 or 07920 077190.

via Newsroom – British Waterways.