Step forward for towpath project

WORK has started on a well-used wildlife corridor in Oldham.

A stretch of towpath along the Rochdale Canal between Wrigley Head, in Failsworth, and Grimshaw Lane, in Chadderton, is being resurfaced and widened as part of an £80,000 project.

Construction works are expected to last for the next seven weeks and the towpath will be closed to pedestrians.

The work is funded by Oldham Council and the Veolia Environmental Trust, which has been awarded a grant through the Landfill Communities Fund, and will be done in partnership with British Waterways.

Nick Smith, British Waterways enterprise manager, said: “The Rochdale Canal towpath is particularly well used by walkers, cyclists and runners.

“It is currently in a bad state of repair and this investment by Oldham Council and Veolia will greatly improve the towpath, opening up more of our natural heritage for communities and visitors to enjoy.”