Two more towpath upgrades

THE Canal & River Trust has introduced two more lengths of upgraded all-weather surface towpaths.

The new half mile section at Rufford on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath, a spokesman tells us, is purposely for cyclists to get to Rufford Railway Station, and we are told 'it is hoped will boost the number of visitors who use the rail network, the canal towpath to visit the Old Hall, as well as improving links to Rufford Marina'.

Work has also taken place to encourage water voles with 220 metres of coir rolls pre-planted with aquatic plants being laid alongside the canal edge to act as cover and habitat for the protected species.

Wales

The Montgomery Canal has had another towpath upgrade, this time a mile long section South of Llanymynech at a cost of £260,000.

We are told that the new all-weather, hard surface means walkers, cyclists, anglers and canoeists will now be able to use the section between Four Crosses and Carreghofa, with several new canoe access points having also been created.

Over £1 million has already been spent on 14 miles of the towpath between Newtown and Welshpool, carried out by Canal & River Trust in partnership with Powys County Council, with funding from the Welsh Government's Local Transport Fund.