Towpath improvements latest

The next stage in the project to upgrade the 2.2km section of canal towpath from Bathampton to the A36 at Beckford Road will start in two to three weeks. That’s the beginning of May.

It’s the incline up the canal bank from Grosvenor Bridge – a route used by many cyclists who want to avoid the traffic and fume-choked London Road into the city.

It’s my understanding the quick but steep pedestrian rout up to the canal from Grosvenor Bridge will be improved first before tarmac is laid on the path up to the canal. Cyclists will have to grin and bear the diversion while this is done.

All surfaces are being tarmacked and then coated with chippings afterwards – once the weather warms up. The incline will also have partial side drain to try and keep water at bay.

The little side path that leads to the pedestrian footbridge across the main railway line is going to be resurfaced with some form of stone chippings but not tarmacked first.

Any improvement will be good news for the Cleveland Pools Trust who want to encourage pedestrians across to the Georgian-built derelict open-air lido they are now trying to restore and reopen.

The complete project will last for up to 18 weeks – with a scheduled completion of Friday, July 15th. Just in time for the start of the school summer holidays.

The canal will remain open to navigation throughout the works, but sections of
the towpath will be closed to the public.

However, access for residents and boaters (to and from their boats) will be maintained throughout and managed by the works contractor.

For towpath users, there is a towpath diversion via
Candy’s Bridge/Meadow Lane which is around the mid-point of the site, meaning
50% of the towpath (not being worked) will always remain open. A temporary
pathway is to be created from the towpath on to Candy’s Bridge/Meadow Lane to
facilitate the diversion.’

The project is being undertaken in partnership between Canal & River Trust and
Bath and North East Somerset Council and is being funded predominantly via the
Department for Transport’s, City Cycle Ambition Fund 2.
The works in brief will comprise of the following:

1. Scarify the full width of the existing towpath and widen where
required to make up an overall width of 2.5m of finished towpath
2. Lay 50mm thick dense bitumen macadam upon a 100mm type 1 sub-base
3. To finish, lay a surface dressing of tar spray with chippings. The
coloured finish of the chippings will attempt to closely match the existing
limestone surface colour.
4. Upgrade the 300m link path which provides a footpath link from the
canal towpath to/over the Grosvenor river footbridge.