Berkhamsted Canal Towpath Reopens

The Canal & River Trust, the charity that cares for 2,000 miles of waterways in England & Wales, has completed a 14-week project to resurface just over half a mile of canal towpath in Berkhamsted from Waitrose to Bushes Lock (lock number 50), near Billet Lane.

James Clifton, from the Canal & River Trust, said: "I'm delighted this towpath has been improved as it's a really popular walking and cycling route to the town centre and railway station. Now that the towpath is pothole and puddle free I hope more local people pop down to the waterside and spend some time exploring the canal."

The Grand Union Canal is one of the unique features of the town and sits (literally) alongside the railway and the original A41 main road from London to the North West. Whilst the canal is an important thoroughfare for boat users, many more people enjoy it from the towpath, as walkers, joggers and cyclists.

Costing just over £200,000, the project has been funded by the Canal & River Trust, Hertfordshire County Council, Dacorum Borough Council and Berkhamsted Town Council. Thanks to extra funding from the Citizens Association, Community Partnership and the local IWA branch, ten new mooring rings have been installed alongside the canal outside Waitrose to allow visiting boaters easy access to the town centre shops.

But County Cllr Nick Hollinghurst (Tring & Villages) commented, "This is good news for Hertfordshire, but especially for residents in Tring, Northchurch, Berkhamsted and Bourne End. However people in Long Marston, Gubblecote and New Mill wish that CRT would repair the bridges at New Mill and Dixons Wharf. The first has been waiting for 3 years for railings to be replaced and the second for 4 years for the broken parapet to be replaced, dislodged brickwork to be repaired and cracks in the carriageway to be filled in. I'm afraid that locally we have a very low opinion of CRT's abilities!"

For more information on the Canal & River Trust visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk Picture thanks to CRT