UPDATE 12 July 2023
Some of you may have noticed that the temporary closure order has now been extended until June 2024. We contacted the Canal & River Trust for an update.
The works described in our original article below are still planned to go ahead, but things have unfortunately been delayed a little. The current plan is to start work on site this autumn, with a view to reopening the towpath by Christmas 2023.
It’s important to note that if any movement is detected, this could indicate a problem and the works will have to be put back further for obvious safety reasons. But, barring that, we should have a fully open canal towpath by the end of the year! Yay!
The Canal & River Trust also told us there will be an open event organised soon to keep members of the public informed. We will announce the date for this as soon as we know, so follow us or subscribe to our emails for details.
The canal towpath is one of Bridgwater’s most useful assets when it comes to active travel. It allows pedestrians and cyclists easy, scenic, traffic-free routes between many different parts of town. But the section between Albert Street and Lyndale Avenue has been closed for ages now. Finally, we have some news on what’s being done to reopen this vital piece of active travel infrastructure.
The Bridgwater and Taunton Canal was constructed between 1824-1827 with James Hollinsworth as engineer. At first, it ended somewhere near what is now Squibbers Way. In 1839-1841 it was extended to Bridgwater Docks by Thomas Maddicks, and this is when the huge cutting at Albert Street was made.
The retaining walls are about 4.5 metres high, and have failed twice – once in 1951 and again in 1968. The timber supports were added in 1970 to help prevent any future failures. They were later engraved with poetry from the Navigators by Tony Charles, as part of the River Parrett Trail enhancement works in 1996. Having served their purpose well for over fifty years, they’re now at a stage where they’re no longer suitable or safe. So what’s going to be done?
As an historical piece of architecture, it’s actually designated as a Grade II listed heritage asset. The Canal & River Trust have responsibility for the site, and they’ve wisely taken the time to survey it thoroughly in terms of both its safety and its historical significance.
The plan, essentially, is simply to remove the timbers altogether, and monitor the site carefully for any movement. Fortunately, architectural technology has progressed significantly since 1970, meaning that sophisticated monitoring equipment can be installed (discreetly), which will trigger an alert at the first sign of any movement in the retaining walls.
The best of the engraved timbers are going to be kept and repurposed – volunteers from the local Bridgwater community will be helping to make beautiful raised beds with them, alongside the same stretch.
The current closure order remains in place until April this year, and the Canal & River Trust say they are working hard to make sure the route will be reopened as soon as possible.
It will be a delight to walk and cycle along here once more, just as Spring arrives!