Volunteers thanked for work on Radcliffe Canal towpath

The towpath along Radcliffe Canal is now back to its former glory thanks to the efforts of local volunteers.

Their work draws to a close a £118,500 scheme of improvements begun by the receipt of a £22,500 contribution from the developers of the Water Street Tesco Extra store. Bury Council contributed and the Canal and Rivers Trust (formerly known as British Waterways) then attracted £40,000 from Viridor Credits.

An earlier scheme, funded by a contribution from the Water Street apartments development, enabled the channel from Water Street to School Street to be cleared.

The recent work has been carried out in three phases: firstly, contractors cleared the canal channel from School Street to Ladyshore; secondly, contractors re-set the towpath copings near Water Street; finally, The Conservation Volunteers spent a day a week for three months stoning up the unsurfaced section of towpath west of School Street.

Contractors will return once a year for the next three years to keep the channel clear.

Councillor Tony Isherwood, Radcliffe councillor and cabinet member for environment, said: “We know from comments we get that the canal is important to the people of Radcliffe. However, it had become overgrown and the towpath very muddy. We understand that the Canal and Rivers Trust doesn't have funding to keep 'remainder waterways' like ours tidy and the council's resources are declining all the time. We were therefore very grateful when the opportunity arose to fund improvements using both contractors and volunteers.”

Ally Taylor, senior project officer with The Conservation Volunteers (formerly known as BTCV), said: “When the Canal and Rivers Trust approached us with this job we thought it would be ideal and that has proved to be the case. It has attracted a great bunch of regulars; some of who like canals, some who like the natural environment and others who just like being out in the fresh air. In fact we're now working for CaRT improving the path around Elton Reservoir. If anyone would like to join us, give me a ring on 07764 655693.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 12 March 2014.

Picture attached: At the Radcliffe Canal towpath are (from left) Ally Taylor, volunteer Gary Mason from Radcliffe, and Cllr Tony Isherwood.