New canal bridge
Released: 24 January 2008
A new bridge crossing will give walkers access to the picturesque surroundings of a Wolverhampton canal.
The new tailbridge at Lock 17 of the Birmingham Canal has been installed this week as part of a £50,000 makeover of the canal and neighbouring open spaces.
It will link the towpath with Gorsebrook, an area of open space popular with local people, ramblers and dog walkers.
Previously, to get from the canal to Gorsebrook required a long detour, though some people opted to cross the canal walking across a narrow lock gate. This could prove very hazardous, especially for the elderly, people with young children and for dog walkers.
Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, said: “The installation of this bridge is very welcome, as it safely opens up a popular piece of land to people walking along the canal.
“Previously they would have had to walk a fair distance along the canal to the nearest safe crossing point, but now they can easily access the canal from Gorsebrook”, he added.
The bridge has been sympathetically designed to be in keeping with the character of the local canal network and is part of a series of works being carried out in the area, which include the completion of new a pathway from the bridge to Gorsebrook and environmental improvements like planting new hedgerows and other flora.
The installation of the bridge itself is costing around £12,000, with the wider programme of improvements bringing the final investment to £50,000.
The work is being carried out by Wolverhampton City Council in partnership with British Waterways and has been paid for by the Cleaner, Safer Greener Communities Fund.
Councillor Reynolds explained: “This is just one of a number of projects being carried out around Wolverhampton which we hope will improve the accessibility and popularity of our canal network with adjacent green spaces”.
John Harris of British Waterways West Midlands added: “Once again we are delighted to work in partnership with the city council on small yet important projects such as this, providing facilities for both existing and new canal users”.
Issued by the press office.