A project to revamp the towpath along the Trent and Mersey Canal making it easier for people in Derbyshire and East Staffordshire to feel the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time by the water, has just been completed.

The work is being carried out by waterways and wellbeing charity, the Canal and River Trust, as part of the Transforming the Trent Valley – a National Heritage Lottery Funded Landscape Partnership Scheme. Transforming the Trent Valley, which is led by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, sees 18 organisations work together to restore and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the Trent Valley.

With research showing that time spent by water can help us to feel happier and healthier, and with more people looking for a local escape on their doorstep, the works to improve popular stretches of towpath will provide a timely boost for local communities. The improvements have transformed muddy stretches of towpath, making them suitable for use all year round by people on foot or bike as well as those with wheelchairs or buggies.

The towpath has provided a vital lifeline for so many people over the past year, giving them a place to clear their heads and stretch their legs.

The most recent, and final, phase has involved widening and resurfacing the towpath around the historic canal village at Shardlow, between Wilne Lane Bridge and Shardlow Lock. The new path is wider and more even, making it easier for walkers and cyclists as well as boaters who want to access important services such as the local water point. Importantly the revamped route means that local people can now avoid crossing the busy London Road more easily.

Previous phases of the project have seen 5km of towpath upgraded at Willington, Fradley and Rugeley with key access points also improved making it easier for people to get onto their local towpath. Later in the year there are plans in place to improve signage at key points along the canal as well as creating special portage points for canoeists to get into and out of the water.

Alan Leather, enterprise manager for the Canal and River Trust, said; “The Trent and Mersey Canal in Derbyshire and East Staffordshire is a real gem. By working in Partnership with Staffordshire County Council and through the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and financial contributions associated with developments in Lichfield District Council and Cannock Chase District Council areas we have managed to make great improvements that will make an immediate difference for local communities as well as visiting boaters.

“The towpath has provided a vital lifeline for so many people over the past year, giving them a place to clear their heads and stretch their legs. It’s great that, through the Transforming The Trent Valley scheme, we’ve been able to make improvements so that more people can feel those benefits for themselves all year round.”

Canal Access: Upgrading the towpath of the Trent and Mersey Canal for multiple users.

The 250-year-old Trent and Mersey Canal provides the historic and cultural spine to the Trent Valley. Improvements to surfacing, signage and access for walkers, cyclists, canoeists and boaters will reconnect communities with both this historic environment and the wider landscape.

This access improvement project is providing an upgrade to sections of the towpath that have been highlighted through our development phase Access Audit for Transforming the Trent Valley. These improvements will be to the benefit of multiple users including people with disabilities, walkers, cyclists and anglers.