Walkers, cyclists, canoeists and schoolchildren joined TV presenter and Wendover Canal Trust patron Robbie Cumming at the official opening of the Wendover to Halton towpath upgrade.
THE improvement, which cost £750,000 and runs for 1.7 miles, took six months to complete. It is part of a joint ambition of the Wendover Canal Trust (WCT) and the Canal & River Trust to see the entire seven miles of the Wendover to Grand Union Canal towpath upgraded.
The official opening event, held on June 28 at Walnut Tree Meadow, Wendover, saw 220 pupils from John Colet School walk in groups down the towpath to Halton, while more than 30 youngsters from Wendover Church of England Junior School took part in a nature trail.
The Cracklewick Morris dancers performed twice, and there was a call to attention fanfare sounded by Kathy Gifford. She also played a fanfare after Robbie, presenter of TV’s Canal Boat Diaries, cut the ribbon to formally open the towpath.
In front of the crowd, WCT chairman Clive Johnson thanked Robbie and Dr Elaine King from Chilterns National Landscape, whose organisation played a major role in securing funding to make the event happen. He also thanked Ros Daniels, of the Canal & River Trust, Coun Steve Broadbent, of Buckinghamshire Council, and Peter Elwin, WCT partnerships director, who led the funding and the organisation of the event.
Mr Johnson said: “The work carried out by Rothen Group and Kier plc has hugely improved the former muddy towpath. For the first time, we have made it accessible to the entire community all year round. I know it is, and will be, enjoyed by those out for a stroll, ramblers, joggers, cyclists, the mobility-impaired and birdwatchers.”
The upgrade was funded by HS2 Chilterns National Landscapes Review Group, Wendover Parish Council, Lionel Abel-Smith Trust, Wendover Community Board and Halton Parish Council. EKFB, FCC Environment, Rothen Group, Wendover Parish Council and Fairhive Homes sponsored new railings at Wharf Road, the signage along the towpath, and the event itself. It was organised by John Colet School, Wendover News, EKFB, Wendover and Halton Parish Councils and Wendover Canal Trust.
