Canal improvements get go-ahead

MORE work to improve the borough’s canal towpaths will begin on Monday after extra funding was secured.

The cash means that Oldham Council, with British Waterways, can continue with its improvement programme.

The resurfacing of the Rochdale Canal towpath, from Failsworth district centre, Sisson Street, down to the border with Manchester, near Gaskell Street, starts on Monday and is due to last six to eight weeks.

Some of the funding will also be used for new signs and to improve access.

The works are part of a wider programme to improve canal-side paths on both the Rochdale and Huddersfield canals, with the aim to provide safe and pleasant walking and cycle routes.

The Rochdale Canal has already been resurfaced from Wrigley Head to Failsworth district centre.

Planned improvements for the rest of the Rochdale Canal up to Chadderton will take place next month and in May — eventually taking the resurfacing all the way up to the border with Rochdale.

On the Huddersfield Canal, towpath improvement works have already been completed from the centre of Uppermill to Wool Road and improvements on the stretch from Uppermill to Frenches Wharf are planned.

Councillor John McCann, cabinetmember for regeneration and environment, said: “This is another positive step forward towards our goal of creating continuous, high-quality pedestrian routes along the borough’s canals, allowing more people to access and enjoy the waterways.”