Trust acquired a further 800m of canal and towpath

THE Wey & Arun Canal Trust has acquired a further 800m of canal and towpath at Bonfire Hanger near Alfold, just north of the Surrey/Sussex border.

The section includes the sites of four former locks, part of the group of nine locks that raised the canal
through Sidney Wood.

Unpleasant quagmire

The Trust will prioritise restoring the towpath in this section. It is a public bridleway and part of the Wey-South Path—but it’s an unpleasant quagmire for some of the year. This will complete a beautiful year-round four miles path largely provided and maintained by the trust for walkers, cyclists and riders, from Drungewick via Loxwood in West Sussex to near Alfold’s Rosemary Lane in Surrey.

Volunteer teams have already started to improve the appearance of the canal in the area. We will be seeking grant assistance to speed up remedial work.

Full restoration of the canal itself at Bonfire Hanger has to be for the longer term. The image is the site of one of Bonfire Hanger locks.