A newly improved section of National Cycle Network Route 696 is wheelchair accessible and has reopened in time for the festive holidays.
A section of towpath at Saltaire which was upgraded in earlier in the year. Credit: Simon Dewhurst/Sustrans, 2024.
Work on the towpath was carried out in partnership with the Canal and River Trust, the waterways charity that looks after the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, and Bradford Council.
Muddy potholes have been smoothed over with a new asphalt surface, so the route is now accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, as well as people on foot or bicycle.
The two-mile stretch of towpath, between Hirst Lock in Saltaire and Primrose Lane in Bingley, is also wider, to meet national guidelines for accessibility.
A before (left) and after (right) of a section of path resurfaced with asphalt before the tar spray and chip is laid in spring 2025. Credit: Canal & River Trust, 2024.
In spring 2025 the team will return to apply the final ‘tar spray and chip’, similar to the finishing surface laid on the towpath past Salts Mill.
The work is all part of the national programme, led by Sustrans and funded by Active Travel England, to improve the quality of the National Cycle Network and make it accessible for everyone.
This section of the towpath is popular for people walking and cycling to work, school, shops, services and local attractions, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire.
An example on another section of the route of the 'tar spray and chip' surface which will be added in spring 2025. Credit: Simon Dewhurst/Sustrans, 2024.
Josh Molyneux, Network Development Manager at Sustrans said: “We’re really happy to be able to reopen the towpath in time for the Christmas holidays. This historic and scenic towpath is a very popular route for all ages, so we’re delighted to be able to make it accessible to many more people, all year round.
“The new surface makes it much easier for people using wheelchairs, mobility scooters and family buggies, and the wider sections allow for different users to enjoy the route at the same time.
“This stretch of towpath between Bingley and Shipley is a fantastic route for heritage and nature, as well as a direct link to schools, workplaces and attractions. The work is part of our Paths for Everyone programme, to help improve the quality of the National Cycle Network and link it better with places people want to go to.”
Another section of resurfaced route, which will receive a 'tar spray and chip' layer in spring 2025. Credit: Canal & River Trust, 2024.
Mark Robinson, Enterprise Manager at Canal & River Trust, said: “Research shows that spending time by water is good for our physical and mental health.
"These improvements to the towpath are important because it will make it easier for people to access the wonderful Leeds & Liverpool Canal on their doorstep.
“As a charity, we’re incredibly grateful for the funding that makes these improvements possible for the benefit of the local communities the canal runs through, especially as our charity’s public funding has been significantly reduced.
"It’s great to see how much local people value the canal: their support is vital so that we can continue to protect and preserve our historic waterways to keep them open and alive for years to come.”
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning & Transport at Bradford Council, said: “It’s great to see the latest upgrade to the Leeds & Liverpool canal towpath has been completed and it really complements the earlier work between Shipley and Saltaire.
"This is a very popular route for visitors and local residents and is a great boost for the canal in time for our celebrations as UK City of Culture in 2025.”
Saltaire to Bingley is part of Route 696, which currently runs from Leeds to Bingley and links to route 66 to Bradford.
Previous accessibility and surface upgrades were carried out on the route between Shipley and Saltaire, near Five Rise Locks in Bingley, and from the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds to Woodlesford.
