27 March 2007
2007 Improvement Works Launched for Bridgewater Way
248 years on from the passing of its
first Canal Act, the Bridgewater Way organisers launched their plans for the
year ahead at an event with style.
Councillor Pennington, Chairman of
the Bridgewater Canal Trust welcomed guests to the event hosted by Daresbury
Laboratory earlier today, and introduced speaker Mike Butterworth, Property
Director Peel Holdings who spoke of the £600,000 works to create the
Bridgewater Way in Wigan, Salford and Runcorn.
The “Duke of Bridgewater” also made his
first appearance in public with the decorated bicycle and introduced the
community arts activities that will be taking place locally, and are being
co-ordinated as part of the Bridgewater Way Arts Partnership by Walk the Plank.
Historically, the Bridgewater Canal
is one of the most important in the world, and its status is now being
recognised as the Bridgewater Way progress further along the canal.
Works for this year include:
WIGAN – LEIGH TOWN CENTRE
Works are currently being completed
on site next to Leigh town centre where the half mile new stretch of
Bridgewater Way will connect between the mills on Mather Lane and Butts Bridge.
Here an approximately two metre wide towpath will be created with benches and
information boards situated along it.
SALFORD - ECCLES
Works on site are progressing rapidly
in Salford at Eccles between Liverpool Road and Hall Bank, the route reaches
the site where the first passenger railway crosses the canal. This is the first
step to improve the route towards historic Barton Aqueduct. Here additional
seating and information boards will be provided.
RUNCORN
After opening phase one of the scheme
in Runcorn last year a lot of positive remarks have been made from people who
have enjoyed the new route. Phase 2 works are due to be undertaken this year
and this will provide a route linking Castlefields, Norton, Sandymoor, Preston
Brook, and also include better visitor information and access points at
Daresbury and Moore on the Cheshire Ring. Works also include Manchester Ship
Canal improvements to some bridges including Watersmeeting Bridge.
Mike Butterworth, Property Director
at Peel Holdings said, “The creation of the Bridgewater Way
is of great importance to this area and we are delighted that so many people
have shown their support for the scheme so far. The works outlined this year
are just another step closer to achieving our goal of bringing the canal back
to its full glory by its 250th centenary year in 2011”.