Coventry canal trail section officially opens

The five-mile canal trail was named one of Britain's top urban walks in 2003 following a huge restoration project

A £470,000 upgrade to Coventry's canal paths is set to open officially.

The "missing stretch" of the towpath, measuring one and a half miles (2.5km) in the Stoke Heath area has been widened and made accessible for cyclists and wheelchair users.

The route was reopened in March but the Canal and River Trust said it had wanted the top surface to bed down before officially launching it.

The route links with a previously improved five-mile (8km) path.

'Real options'

The council said the route was created as part of a £7m Cycle Coventry project.

The improvements extend from Draper's Fields to Stoney Stanton Road.

Rachel Lancaster, who oversees public services for the city council, said: "We're hoping even more people will use [the route] as a regular, off-road path to get around the city."

Centro chairman, John McNicholas, said: "The improvements, which will be brought to this city through the Cycle Coventry project, will help to cut the congestion on our roads and give people real options about the way they travel."