£100,000 to repair towpath

Published: Friday, 09 April 2010

BRITISH Waterways is spending £100,000 on a 160 yards length of towpath on the Kennet & Avon Canal, as cyclists are complaining of its condition.

The owner of the cycle shop at Trowbridge who is also complaining, remarking that the stretch at Hilperton is not the only part of the towpath that is in need of repair.

Volume of cyclists

Work has now started on the work, with British Waterways relating that  the erosion happened over time as a result of the volume of cyclists and pedestrians which use it.

The cycle shop owner Shaun Kettlety, complains that some parts of the towpath are only two feet wide and that there are pot holes, remarking:

"As you go towards Bath there are areas with big dips and divots. It's the same towards Dundas as well."

He also complains of the lack of bins for dog waste.

Water voles

As well as restoring the towpath, British Waterways' contractors are putting in a soft-bank protection combined with soft coir rolls for water voles to  burrow and nest inside.