Next section of canal project underway
Peel has announced work on the second section of the Bridgewater Way project in Trafford has started.
Contractor J Cooney has been appointed to complete the work, which will concentrate on just over a half mile stretch, between Sale Bridge and Marsland Bridge, adding to the newly completed two mile stretch between Sale and Stretford, which officially opened last week.
Peel said the work in Trafford will add to the Bridgewater Way work already complete in Eccles, Leigh, and Runcorn, which will cover 12 miles in total.
The £8m Bridgewater Way project is a 65km scheme that aims to regenerate the canal towpath and create a new route for cyclists and pedestrians.
Peel added that the work in Trafford is part of a links to schools programme from sustainable transport charity Sustrans, which aims to provide better facilities to encourage children to walk or cycle to school. Peel said the work in Trafford will create a safer route to Springfield Primary School and Sale Grammar School's Claremont Centre.
The £520,000 links to schools project is funded by Trafford Council, Sustrans, the Bridgewater Canal Trust and canal owners Peel.
Peter Green, Sustrans area manager for Greater Manchester, said: "It is great that work is underway to see a further section of the Bridgewater Canal improved. Peel and Trafford Council have moved quickly to make the most of match funding opportunities and have developed another high quality scheme. When complete local people will benefit from much improved and traffic free access to local schools and amenities. The new work builds on recently completed routes and will help encouraging people to make short local journeys on foot or by bike."
The Bridgewater Way project is being promoted by the Bridgewater Canal Trust, a partnership comprising seven local authorities including Wigan, Salford, Trafford, Manchester, Cheshire East, Warrington and Halton, along with Peel, with support from a range of partnership funders.
Peel said, due to waterside construction works, the second phase section of the Bridgewater canal towpath will be temporarily closed from early June until August.
Peel added that, for safety reasons, the public are asked to keep off the construction site during this period and should use an alternative route as the team aims to minimise disruption to the public.
