Yorkshire Canal Paths Get £3M Active Travel Boost

Canal & River Trust secures £3M to resurface two Huddersfield towpaths through 2026

Huddersfield Canal Gets £3M Path Upgrade

Huddersfield's canal towpaths will get major improvements after the Canal & River Trust secured £3 million in funding, officials confirmed. The project targets two key routes: the Huddersfield Broad Canal from Aspley Basin to Cooper Bridge, and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal between Marsden and Slaithwaite. Works on the Narrow Canal began this week and will continue until October 2025, while the Broad Canal project starts mid-June and finishes in January 2026.

Context & Background

The investment comes through West Yorkshire's Active Travel Fund, delivered in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Kirklees Council. The canals, which were vital during the Industrial Revolution, continue to serve as important routes for boats while providing beloved walking and cycling paths for the local community. Research shows that time spent by water contributes to improved happiness and health, making these upgrades valuable for community wellbeing. The project aims to enhance canal towpaths while encouraging outdoor activities and healthier lifestyles.

Key Details

The towpaths will be resurfaced with tar and stone chipping to provide durable all-weather surfaces suitable for walking, wheeling, scooting, and cycling. Improvements include better accessibility for people with mobility difficulties and pushchair users, widened towpaths where possible, repairs to canal walls, and new mooring bollards. The £3 million investment represents England and Wales' largest canal charity's commitment to modernizing historic waterway infrastructure. Officials said the resurfacing will create year-round access for all users regardless of weather conditions.

Timeline & Implementation

Works on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal began this week and will run through October 2025, while the Huddersfield Broad Canal project launches mid-June and concludes in January 2026. Both towpaths will remain open during construction with restrictions, and people will be safely escorted through work sites. The phased approach allows the Canal & River Trust to maintain access while completing the extensive resurfacing and accessibility improvements across both canal routes.

Rider Impact & Moovit

The improvements will benefit walkers, cyclists, wheelchair users, and families with pushchairs who use the towpaths for commuting and recreation. During construction, users should expect temporary restrictions and escort requirements through active work zones. Moovit provides real-time updates for transit connections to canal access points throughout Huddersfield and West Yorkshire.