Finally – work underway on improving towpath.

Richard Wyatt,

Work started this week  on the gradual improvement of a length of the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath between Bathampton and Sydney Gardens.

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The notices – pinned to a tree – at the top of the approach path from Grosvenor Bridge. This path is not directly mentioned in the scheme and l have no idea what remedial work will be done here – other than clearance at the top where it joins the towpath.

Notices have gone up along the towpath – pointing out that this is a job that will not be finished before July 15th.

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More postings beside the A36.

Funding has been made available for the project via the Department for Transport’s City Cycle Ambition Fund and is being managed in partnership by the Canal and River Trust and Bath and North Somerset Council.

The project – says the public notice – ‘ will see a significant improvement in the towpath surface for the benefit of all users.’

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Sunshine today but after the prolonged rain, this towpath surface can be waterlogged.

Today (Friday, February 26th, 2016) contractor Paul Ledbury has been brought in by B&NES to  clear and enlarge the inclined passageway up to the towpath from Grosvenor Bridge. And from the Canal and River Trust this comment about what’s happening to this passageway:

“As part of the Bath to Bathampton towpath works, we will also be surfacing the link path (approximately 300m in length), which runs from the towpath down to the railway bridge and then connects with the Grosvenor river bridge.

The groundwork for the link path is scheduled to be done during June and will re-open officially in mid-July at the same time as the towpath.’

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Contractor, Paul Ledbury has started clearing the pathway onto the towpath from Grosvenor Bridge. His brief is to clear down to the railway bridge.

The canal will remain open during  the  work taking place alongside – which will see around 50% of the towpath closed with a towpath diversion in place via Candy’s Bridge/Meadow Lane.

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There’s also a map showing you what is happening and where the diversions will be.

Boating customers needing to get to and from their boats will be permitted access throughout the project.

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The notice about the works which has gone up on the towpath.

The finished towpath will be a bound surface and will consist of a tarmac base with chippings on top which will be of a colour to closely match the existing surface.

More information via Enquiries.kennetavon@canalrivertrust.org.uk

Published by Richard Wyatt

Freelance Journalist, broadcaster, columnist and local historian. Director of Bath Newseum. Married and lives in Bath. Interested in local history, architecture and visual display in museums and urban spaces.

1 Comment

  1. Reblogged this on CycleBath and commented:
    Towpath work will start 14th of March with an end date around July. Interesting that an alternative route has been provided. I’m wondering if the meadow path is being made up to a better standard and could be a good way to create a secondary route away from the towpath which can get very busy.

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