Huddersfield Narrow and Broad Canal
Background
The Huddersfield Narrow and Broad Canals weave their way through the towns and villages of Kirklees. Set back from traffic, they offer communities a chance to take in the peace and calm of nature and the historical landscape. Over the years thick mud, worn towpaths, and access barriers have made sections of the canals inaccessible for walkers, cyclists, wheelchair users, and people with pushchairs.
Working alongside the Canal and River Trust and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, we have made significant surfacing and accessibility improvements to enhance these vital green corridors, making it easier and safer for everyone.
The following upgrades have been delivered
- Widened the existing towpath for a smoother, more accessible travel alternative, optimised for walking, wheeling and cycling.
- Constructed a safer, all-weather surface, with better grip and improved visibility.
- Carried out mud removal and sub-base enhancement to provide year-round, reliable travel options.
- Installed additional signage and removed unnecessary barriers to improve accessibility.
- Respected natural and historic features of the canal, with grass verges, native plants and trees retained during works to support wildlife, and existing canal walls retained and repaired.
- Improved canal infrastructure by installing additional mooring bollards.
- Reduced the angle of steep slopes alongside locks and relaid patches of cobblestones, making surfaces smoother and improving accessibility.
Huddersfield Narrow Canal Slaithwaite-Marsden
The Huddersfield Narrow Canal has seen major work in recent years, with towpath upgrades between Thornton Lodge and Milnsbridge and between Milnsbridge and Slaithwaite, completed in 2018 and 2022 respectively. This latest phase has seen the towpath between Slaithwaite and Marsden revitalised to create an accessible route for anyone wanting to travel along the canal. Together, these upgrades provide an accessible, 12km car-free route through the Colne Valley from Marsden to Huddersfield Town Centre.
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Scarwood Bridge, Linthwaite
After consultations with residents, Scarwood Bridge in Linthwaite was identified as a barrier to accessible travel along the route, with narrow, stepped cobbles and a sharp turn making it difficult to access.
A new, wheelchair accessible ramp alongside the towpath has been installed, drastically improving access along the route.
Huddersfield Broad Canal, Aspley Marina to Cooper Bridge
Similar to the Narrow Canal, the Huddersfield Broad Canal towpath had deteriorated over the years, limiting its use as an alternative route to the A62 to access communities in north Kirklees. This scheme has seen improvements made to the entire 6km route from Aspley Marina in Huddersfield Town Centre to Cooper Bridge.
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Consultation
Public engagement for the works to gather people's feedback and views about the most recent phase of work were held between 25 January to 25 February 2024. Details of the consultation and the outcome report are available at:
