Work on £450,000 Keadby Canal cycleway gets underway

North Lincolnshire Council has started work on the first phase of installing the new £450,000 Keadby Canal cycleway that will connect Crowle to Scunthorpe via Keadby and Gunness. Work should be completed by the end of 2016.
North Lincolnshire Council EMN-160401-163050001North Lincolnshire Council EMN-160401-163050001
North Lincolnshire Council EMN-160401-163050001

The path will provide a green, traffic-free route suitable for cyclists as well as providing better access for walkers, anglers and boaters.

“Keadby Canal cycleway will help connect our communities together and allow cyclists to travel safely throughout North Lincolnshire,” said Coun John Briggs, ward member for Axholme North.

“Preparation work for the cycleway started before Christmas and will continue in the next couple of weeks.

“The cycleway will not only be perfect for cyclists wanting to travel from the Isle of Axholme to Scunthorpe but for walkers alike.”

Some preparation work started in December 2015 on the footpath between North Lincolnshire Retail Park and Gunness that runs along the railway line at the back of Glanford Park. This included resurfacing and widening the path over the M181 at Frodingham Grange.

Further preparation work started on last week and work will recommence on the section between Glanford Park and Gunness shortly; with work starting on the canal in early February.

The canal towpath between The Barge Inn and Vazon Bridge will be closed for two weeks between February 8 and 19.

Work between New Pilfrey Bridge and Vazon Bridge will require a three week closure between February 22 March 4 and between the A161 and New Pilfrey Bridge from March 7 to April 15.

The dates are provisional and are weather permitting.

“This new cycleway will be mainly off-road and will follow the A18 from Crowle to Scunthorpe,” said Coun Neil Poole, cabinet member for Neighbourhoods,

“Cycle safety is very important and this will make it a lot safer for cyclists to travel to Scunthorpe for work and/or leisure.

“We are also investing in a number of initiatives across North Lincolnshire that aim to connect our communities together including the Ancholme Valley Way, which is well underway to connect Brigg to South Ferriby.

“More and more people are getting fit, but we hope to encourage more people to get out on their bikes and take advantage of these brilliant cycleways.”

The towpath works are being carried out in partnership with the Canal & River Trust, the charity that cares for 2,000 miles of historic waterways in England and Wales.

The works will create a 2.1 metre wide surfaced towpath with access gates and parking areas for anglers.

As well as wildlife habitat improvements, information boards and rest areas; repairs to the canal walls will also be carried out.

“The canal is a popular route for people going to work and the shops but it’s also a fantastic place to get away from the hustle and bustle and explore the area’s rich history,” said Jane Thomson, enterprise manager for the Canal & River Trust.

“These works will improve the towpath for everyone and we hope that once finished we’ll be able to see people enjoying a wide range of activities on the path whether that be a leisurely bike ride, a quiet afternoon’s fishing or exploring nature with the family.”

All details will be kept up-to-date on the council’s website, www.northlincs.gov.uk.

Link below for the Canal River Trust website

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