Improved canal towpath open to the public

Author: Jamie Summerfield
Published: 29th September, 2013 @ 18:09
Updated: 29th September, 2013

Canal
The much improved towpath near the Meaford Power Station site. Picture by Cath Taylor

The stretch of towpath between Barlaston and Meaford is now open to the public again after improvement works were finished ahead of schedule.

Work on the notoriously muddy stretch got under way in February between Meaford Lock Bridge and the Plume of Feathers in Barlaston (bridges 98 to 103). The work was scheduled to take until November, but the full stretch opened again to walkers and cyclists on Friday 27th September, with new hard surfaces.

The work is the final piece of the jigsaw to link a national cycle path between Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent. It forms part of the Trent and Mersey Canal towpath improvement project, a partnership between Stafford Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council and the Canal and River Trust.

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Cyclist Martin Ridge regularly uses this stretch of towpath. In July 2012 he sent us this photo:

And today, Martin was back on the towpath after its reopening. As Martin said on Twitter: “What a difference a year makes. No need for mud tyres on today’s ride along the towpath.”

Martin Ridge

Thanks to the Canal & River Trust for a wonderful job on the towpath – and for getting the work done ahead of schedule.

James Du Pavey - Stone

6 comments

  • Andrew Swindells
    12 years ago Reply

    Well done to all involved. I didn’t think this was due to be finished until next spring but even more impressed that it was complete a month before the actual target date.

    To be honest I stopped cycling this section years ago and have even avoided walking it as it was in such poor condition. Can’t wait to give a full towpath ride to Stone a go now.

    Thanks again everyone.

  • Paul, Gnosall SustransVolunteer Ranger
    12 years ago Reply

    Have to agree with Bob, well done to all involved a credit to Stone. Because this part of the the Trent Mersey Canal towpath forms part of the National Cycle Network (Route) 5 (which is a multi user route) provides an excellent resource for the area. The Canal & River Trust have done some excellent work which I hope continues, once again well done chaps.

  • Bob Cooper
    12 years ago Reply

    What an amazing transformation. I rode along this section the other day with a few of my Sustrans Volunteer Ranger friends from around Staffordshire and we were all impressed. Well done to the Canal & River Trust for doing a great job. Hopefully we’ll see more of this sort of thing in the future.

  • Jeff
    12 years ago Reply

    Congratulations to everyone repsonsible for making this stunning improvement. It was fabulous cycling that stretch this afternoon, and great to be able to make it from Barlaston to Stone without wrecking either myself or the bike. Well done for making such a beautiful stretch of the canal so accessible again.

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