Bingley residents and the wider community are invited to a free celebration event marking the completion of a major towpath transformation. The gathering will take place at Bingley Five Rise Locks along National Cycle Network Route 66 on August 8.
Towpath Improvements
A 500-metre section of the towpath along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Bingley Five Rise and Bingley Three Rise Locks has been widened and resurfaced. This work removed muddy puddles and uneven paths to make the area safer, more accessible, and more welcoming for local residents and visitors. Active Travel England funded the project, which was delivered by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust alongside the Canal and River Trust and Bradford Council.
Community Celebration
Sarah Bradbury, senior network development manager Yorkshire at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, said: “We’re looking forward to bringing the local community together to celebrate this new and improved walking, wheeling and cycling route on this much-loved section of the Aire Valley Greenway. We’re incredibly proud to be investing in this historic route. These vital improvements will allow more people to get out into nature and explore the heritage and history of the area and the iconic Bingley Five Rise and Bingley Three Rise Locks. Come and join us and help us celebrate- we’d love to see you there.”
The upgrades form the latest phase of work to improve access for people using mobility scooters, families with buggies, and those on foot or bicycle.
Partnership and Impact
Mark Robinson, enterprise manager at Canal & River Trust, commented: “This canal towpath is well used by the local community and we're delighted to have delivered this towpath improvement scheme, in partnership with Walk Wheel Cycle Trust and Bradford Council, providing better access to 'one of the wonders of the waterways', Bingley Five Rise Locks. As a charity, it’s so important that we work with other organisations to keep our historic canals open and alive. The towpath provides much-loved walking and cycling routes for the local community, visitors, and a home for wildlife. This project, one of a number of towpath improvement schemes we have recently delivered in Yorkshire, is a fantastic example of how we can work together to make canals more welcoming and accessible, whilst helping to protect the historic canal structures and providing places for people and wildlife.”
Event Details
Activities on the day will include pedal-powered attractions and a led heritage walk along the canal. The event is free and open to all. For more information, visit the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust website.
