Burnley towpath work improves access to 'wonderful' canal

Canal workers joined Burnley MP Antony Higginbotham to mark the work's completion

A town centre towpath's upgrade will make it easier for people to access the "wonderful" canal "on their doorstep", a waterways charity has said.

A 1.2 mile (1.9km) stretch of the walkway alongside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Burnley has been resurfaced and widened.

The work by the Canal and River Trust and Burnley Council was paid for from the government's Levelling Up fund.

Project manager Rachel Daley said the canal path was highly valued by locals.

"Research shows that spending time by water is good for our physical and mental health," she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"These towpath improvements are important because it will make it easier for people to access the wonderful Leeds and Liverpool Canal on their doorstep.

"It's great to see how much local people value the canal: their support is vital so that we can continue to protect and preserve our historic waterways and avert the decline we saw last century."

Burnley Council leader Afrasiab Anwar was on hand to try the improved access point to the towpath

Councillor Scott Cunliffe, Burnley Council's lead on sustainable development, said the work, which also included the creation of an access ramp, would "encourage more people" to use the "historic and peaceful 'green' route".

"The upgrading of the canal towpath has made a huge difference along this stretch of the canal and it's great to see it completed," he said.

"As well as a home for wildlife and nature, the canal is used and enjoyed by visitors, walkers and cyclists every day."

The project is linked to the council's £6.1m Town 2 Turf project, which is aimed at enhancing links between Manchester Road railway station, the University of Lancashire campus and the town centre and improving the walking route to Burnley FC's Turf Moor stadium.

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [e-mail]